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Pakistan faces a stern test

COLOMBO OCT. 2. As if facing the world's No. 1 team Australia wasn't daunting enough, an inexperienced and patched-together Pakistan line-up can't even count on home turf advantage in a series it is supposed to be hosting.

The three-Test series starts on Thursday at the Saravanamuttu Stadium in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and will move to Sharjah for the second and third Tests.

Pakistan goes into the series without stalwarts, including fast bowler Wasim Akram, opening batsman Saeed Anwar, Yousuf Youhana and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Youhana and Inzamam are nursing injuries while Akram and Anwar have opted to rest.

``The young boys we have here are talented and probably the best available,'' said Pakistani skipper Waqar Younis. ``Naturally, any captain would feel uncomfortable going into a Test without experienced players, but I have complete confidence in the youngsters. I believe this is the opportunity for them to rise to the occasion and prove their mettle.'' The three-match series was shifted to neutral venues after Australia refused to tour Pakistan, citing security reasons.

The next two Tests will be held in Sharjah, starting Oct. 11 and Oct. 19 respectively.

The teams:

Australia: Steve Waugh (capt.), Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Darren Lehmann.

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (capt.), Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Hasan Raza, Imran Nazir, Mibah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Sami, Rashid Latif, Faisal Iqbal, Taufeek Umer, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Naveed-ul-Hasen, Saqlain Mushtaq, Imran Farhat, and Mohammad Zahid. — AP

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