Sport - Cricket

Pakistan gears up to counter `lefties'

LAHORE, FEB. 18. While the administration here is burning midnight oil devising a foolproof security cover for India during the historic tour starting next month, it's preparation time for the Pakistan cricket team too which sought the service of two left arm pacers prior to the series.

With three left armers — Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Irfan Pathan — dominating the Indian pace attack, the Pakistan selectors have asked the bowling duo of Muhammad Khalil and Zahid Saeed to join the national training camp starting here on February 24 after the third round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches.

``The idea is basically to allow our batsmen a feel of the line and length of this particular type of bowler since India have three left arm pacers,'' chief selector Wasim Bari said on Tuesday.

Saying that left arm pacers pose serious threats to batsmen with their typical intrinsic bowling, Bari said, "Which is why we have asked Zahid Saeed and Khalil to be in the camp. They will give our batsmen the much-needed practice against left arm pace. We want our players to have all the angles covered before the series.''

Even though the rookie pace duo won't form part of the official list of probables, the door was still open and anybody performing well might get the nod for the three-day tour opener, he said.

``We will not restrict our selection of the combined eleven to just the 22 players in the camp. Anyone who is performing well in the Quaid Trophy games would be considered for that match,'' Bari said. — UNI

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