Pakistan upbeat on India tour (14 January 1999)

14 January 1999

Pakistan upbeat on India tour

AFP

KARACHI, Jan 14 (AFP) - Pakistan Thursday said it was confident of victory on this month's Indian tour, though the final decision on whether to go ahead with the sensitive trip was down to the government.

"We have been beating India in one-dayers and have a better away record," skipper Wasim Akram said, speaking after the line-up for the tour was named.

"So I am sure we will win there.

"I am fully satisfied with the team and the selectors took my consent and it is a unanimous selection.

"It is true that we were down after losing two home series back to back, but we still have quality players who can win us the series," the Pakistan captain said, referring to victories here by Australia and Zimababwe.

"We have three spinners because we think India will rely on their spinners, but I have full confidence in my players that they will spoil India's home record."

Wasim said he and coach Javed Miandad had planned extensively for the series.

"We had a camp of nearly 20 days and prepared extensively, taking into consideration the pitches in India and their team," he added.

However, former captain Aamer Sohail has been replaced with the uncapped Peshawar-born 22-year-old Wajahatullah, who scored more than 500 runs for Pakistan "A" during a New Zealand tour last year, and did not show at the camp.

"Sohail disappointed me but it is not the end of the world," Wasim said.

"And we have an exciting player in Wajahatullah, who has got a solid defence." Pakistan will play a series of two Test matches. They will also participate in the first ever Asian Test championship during the month-long tour scheduled to begin January 21, their first to India in 12 years.

The opening Test of the championship will be played between Pakistan and India in Calcutta. India will then play Sri Lanka in Colombo and Pakistan will play against Sri Lanka either in Lahore or Karachi in the championship.

Pakistan will return to India to play a limited overs three nation tournament also involving Sri Lanka in March-April.

Wasim played down the contest between him and renowned Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who he will be bowling against for the first time on Indian soil.

"He is a world-class batter and it will be a challenge for me to bowl at him, but it is a contest between the Pakistan and Indian teams, not between two players," he said.

Pakistan has three fast bowlers in Wasim, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhter, and all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, while Mian Mohammad Munir will be the manager.

Left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan, elder brother of wicket-keeper Moin Khan, and opener Naveed have played one Test each.

"We have announced a balanced squad for the tour after much deliberation, and took captain Wasim Akram's advice," chief selector Wasim Bari said.

"Aamer Sohail did not attend the camp and told the Board that he was not fit so his name was not considered.

"I am fully satisfied with the team and, Inshallah (God willing), we will win the series."

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Khalid Mahmood earlier said the fate of the tour would be decided by the Pakistan government, but for his side the tour was on.

The vandalism of the pitch in New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla stadium last week put the tour in serious doubt, but the Indian government has assured it will provide full security for Pakistan's team.

India has not had a series on home ground since Pakistan beat them in the Bangalore Test in 1987.

The team captain agreed security concerns would put added pressures on Pakistani players.

"That can affect our performance but we have told our players and they are hardcore professionals and can cope with the situation," he added.

Hindu zealots have threatened to sabotage the games to protest against Pakistan's alleged support for Indian insurgents.

Indian Prime Minister Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is determined to hold the series and has promised maximum security.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the last 50 years.

Source :: AFP