Inzamam - 'Toss will be vital on this wicket'
Inzamam-ul-Haq admits that Pakistan are the underdogs when their series in India begins tomorrow
Nagraj Gollapudi
07-Mar-2005
Inzamam-ul-Haq admits that Pakistan are the underdogs when their series in India begins tomorrow. However, he believes his young team have the potential to win the series if everyone does an honest job. Inzamam is ready to lead his side, happy with the Mohali wicket and, he told the media, he has some crucial factors in his favour.
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On whether it is fair to label his team the weaker side
[We are] not the weaker team, but the balance tilts in favour of India when it comes to experience.
[We are] not the weaker team, but the balance tilts in favour of India when it comes to experience.
On his responsibilities as captain and the ensuing pressure
As a captain it is obvious that I have a lot of responsibility considering that I don't have many experienced players at my disposal. So, it's for me and the four or five other senior players to take on the onus and help the team.
As a captain it is obvious that I have a lot of responsibility considering that I don't have many experienced players at my disposal. So, it's for me and the four or five other senior players to take on the onus and help the team.
On the Mohali pitch
It is a good wicket for Test matches and will last the five days. The fast bowlers will get the maximum purchase but the hard surface will also be good for the batsmen to get the runs. We will concentrate more on the fast bowlers as every morning they will get more swing. The first two days are important for the seamers, but if the batsmen work hard it shouldn't be a problem to get runs.
It is a good wicket for Test matches and will last the five days. The fast bowlers will get the maximum purchase but the hard surface will also be good for the batsmen to get the runs. We will concentrate more on the fast bowlers as every morning they will get more swing. The first two days are important for the seamers, but if the batsmen work hard it shouldn't be a problem to get runs.
On the toss being crucial
The toss will be important on this wicket and winning it will help your decision-making.
The toss will be important on this wicket and winning it will help your decision-making.
On whether they will be able to take revenge for the series loss to India at home in 2004
In sport there is nothing called `revenge'. We will make sure to win the series. We know that we aren't the favourites, but my young team is capable of winning the series.
In sport there is nothing called `revenge'. We will make sure to win the series. We know that we aren't the favourites, but my young team is capable of winning the series.
On Danish Kaneria
Danish Kaneria has been our most succesful bowler in the last one or two years. After the first day the wicket will help the spinners and Danish could be dangerous. He is the kind of the bowler who - based on how he performs - could win the matches on his own.
Danish Kaneria has been our most succesful bowler in the last one or two years. After the first day the wicket will help the spinners and Danish could be dangerous. He is the kind of the bowler who - based on how he performs - could win the matches on his own.
On whether Shahid Afridi will play
Shahid Afridi could figure in our calculations as he performed really well in the Australian tour during the VB series. But we are yet to pick up the team.
Shahid Afridi could figure in our calculations as he performed really well in the Australian tour during the VB series. But we are yet to pick up the team.
On whether his troublesome back will allow him to play all three Tests
Yes, I had this back problem during the Australian tour but I played the ODIs there and I've been practising without any trouble, so I should last the entire series.
Yes, I had this back problem during the Australian tour but I played the ODIs there and I've been practising without any trouble, so I should last the entire series.
On the impact Bob Woolmer has made as a coach
He is doing a lot of new things, but the main thing is he is more friendly with the guys. He is just been with us for a short time, so if he is given more time it will be really good for Pakistan.
He is doing a lot of new things, but the main thing is he is more friendly with the guys. He is just been with us for a short time, so if he is given more time it will be really good for Pakistan.