Inzy says conditions will suit pacers

Karachi: The conditions in England may suit the fast bowlers to the hilt, but Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq Saturday said it would be the batsmen who would decide the fate of the series.

“Both the teams have geniune fast bowlers and the conditions in England would definitely suit the bowlers more than the batsmen. Therefore, I am convinced that the team batting better and succeeding in putting substantial runs on the scoreboard will have the advantage,” Inzamam said from Lahore.

Pakistan leave for England on June 24 on a two-and-a-half month tour where they will play four Tests and five one-day Internationals. The first Test begins at Lord’s from July 13. Pakistan have not lost a series in England since 1982 when David Gower’s men defeated Imran Khan’s side 2-1.

Inzamam was hopeful that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and the other pacers would recover in time for the series.

“I agree that the quickies from both sides are either struggling for fitness or form but we still have two months before the first Test. It is ample time for any fast bowler to regroup, recompose and regain complete fitness,” he said.

Pakistan have named injury-prone Shoaib and Mohammed Sami in a provisional 21-man squad. Shoaib has not played any international cricket for three months while Sami stages a comeback.

Likewise, England’s Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and James Anderson have missed most of international cricket this year and are also unlikely against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan are expected to name a three-pronged pace attack comprising Shoaib, Sami and Asif for the tour, with Rana Naved-ul Hasan and Abdul Razzaq being included as fast bowling allrounders.

Inzamam said despite the injuries to key England bowlers, he would not make the mistake of underestimating the rival attack.“I am still not under-estimating the current England bowling attack.

Stating that picking the final XI would be difficult, he said, “I think picking 16 boys for the tour will not be a difficult decision as most of the players select themselves automatically.

The Multan-born batsman said he was under no pressure and knew what was required to do.

“I know I am in a stage of my career where I need to perform to maintain my position in the team.

“I also know that if I fail in one or two series and the team’s performance is also not up to the mark, the call for my sacking would intensify. But this has not put any pressure on me but only motivated me to strive harder to prove my critics wrong.”