Pakistan aims at revival at favourite hunting ground

SHARJAH, MARCH 22 Reeling from a string of recent defeats, Pakistan will use the current cup one-day tri-series as the launching pad for its upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Plagued by injuries to key members, Pakistan will hope the return of star all-rounder Wasim Akram after recovering from a groin injury will work wonders as it takes on India in its opening tie here tomorrow. The Moin Khan-led side start as the least prepared side after arriving here without star opener Saeed Anwar, nursing a neck strain, besides indisposed off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Azhar Mahmood (back injury).

The 29-year-old stumper felt both its rivals had peaked well following the closely fought series where India beat the South Africans 3-2 while its own batting was heavily dependent on the in-form Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.

``We'll try our best. We will play the hardest possible cricket but the opposition is tough and we have an inexperienced middle- order,'' he said on reaching here. Moin Khan, who took over after Anwar was laid low during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi following an on-field collision, said the absence of Anwar, Saqlain and Azhar Mahmood would be felt, but it gave an excellent opportunity for the youngsters.

He said India and South Africa have shown tremendous batting prowess by scoring 300-odd runs twice in the recent series, but said it also exposed their bowling limitations. That aspect could be a plus point for Pakistan because its bowling will not allow free-stroking opportunities and reduce the demand on the batsmen. Moin Khan said fitness would be a key aspect. ``We have struggled and lost matches because we never had a full team. I am hoping that in the next four months, we will be able to field the best available players. There is never a substitute for inexperience,'' he said.

He said the return of Javed Miandad as coach was a great boost to the team. ``Miandad is the best tactician and has made several tours of the West Indies,'' he added.

Akram said he has fully recovered from the groin injury which sidelined him from the Test series against Sri Lanka.

- PTI.

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