'Our bowlers can win the series for us' - Inzamam

Inzamam-ul-Haq has termed Virender Sehwag as a "major threat" ahead of the home series against India but is confident that his bowlers can restrict the Indian batsmen and win the series for Pakistan.

"Although I would say India start off as favourites simply because they've a more experienced and mature all-round side, I'm confident that our bowlers can win the series for us because they are in good form. What gives me confidence is that Shoaib Akhtar has bowled splendidly in the recent series against England while Danish Kaneria showed in just two spells that he is our most improved and effective bowler. Plus the other bowlers have backed these two with some solid and disciplined performances and that's indeed heartening when you are preparing to take on a strong Indian side.

"The fact that our bowlers are bowling well now is significant because when India last came here in 2004 and won the Tests and one-dayers our bowlers, specially Shoaib and Danish, were not in good form. Our bowling was also better when we went to India last year and we fared better then we had done at home. Which is why we are quietly confident of restricting their batsmen despite their impressive track record."

Inzamam, who has played 105 Tests and 351 ODIs noted that for some reason or the other Pakistan had in the last two years not been able to field a full and 100 percent-fit pace attack. "We did this against England and beat them even though Shabbir was sitting out after being reported for his action.

"Shoaib, in particular, has changed a lot and he is now a more focused, disciplined and hungry bowler and his performances have lifted the other bowlers as well. Against England he didn't take wickets all the time but every time he produced an inspired spell the others came and took wickets. Shoaib -- all said and done -- has a reputation as a fast strike bowler and that does add to the pressure on the batsmen. He knows now that you don't just scare top batsmen, you plan them out," he said.

"To be honest I don't think any batsman would feel comfortable facing Shoaib in his current form. But the bottom line is our bowlers will have to retain the same qualities of discipline and line and length which they showed against England to be successful against the Indians," he noted.

Inzamam, who has scored 8,052 Test and 11,141 one-day runs, said when the Pakistan players meet for the short conditioning camp in Lahore from Thursday strategies for the coming series would obviously be discussed. "Bob [Woolmer] is joining us on the 7th after which we'll sit down and discuss every Indian player individually. I think we've the bowling and fielding to restrict even someone like Tendulkar despite his greatness and outstanding record. We've seen his innings against Sri Lanka recently and we know what to do. The main thing is that our bowlers have bowled a lot to him in the last two years so they also know how to bowl to someone like him.

"We see Virender Sehwag as a major threat because he is such a free flowing player that once he gets set in he can demoralise any team rapidly. Devising ways to get him out early would be a challenge for us. He is one player who bowlers don't like bowling too because of his unorthodox approach and quick eye," Inzamam said.

Sehwag scored a triple hundred in the first Test when he last toured Pakistan two years ago and also made a double hundred against them in Bangalore Test last year. "The Indians have a formidable batting line-up and when you play against such a team what we've learnt is that you must have at least three sets of plans to rely on when you bowl to quality players like Tendulkar, Sehwag or Dravid. It'll be interesting to see how Rahul handles the pressures of captaincy as he remains their most dependable batsman and he has always delivered under pressure. I personally think he'll be up to it. But as an opposing captain I would like to get him out as early as possible," Inzamam confided.