Moin full of praise

Lahore, Nov 17: Pakistan captain Moin Khan was all praise for Saqlain Mushtaq but didn't hide his displeasure over the performance from his other spinners.

"Saqlain has lived upto the hype created by the media that he will be the match-winner by taking eight wickets on a pitch which was not all that conducive to his type of bowling.

"But he cannot alone deliver the goods. He requires support from the other end which unfortunately was not there. I am not particularly pleased with the performance from Mushtaq Ahmad and others," Moin said after the third day's play.

Moin defended his decision to play Mushtaq saying that he preferred him as most experienced spinner available. He, however, admitted that he will have to review his options and minced no words in saying that 19-year-old rookie Danish Kaneria, the second specialist leg-spinner available, stood a very good chance in the remaining two Tests.

"We didn't want to expose Danish in the series opener. But he is a wonderful bowler and I don't see why he will not play in the future."

Moin said the pitch also deceived him as well as the experts and added that it was expected to turn sharper but in the end didn't cause any alarm.

The Pakistan captain, nevertheless, was confident that the Test would peter out into a draw. "I think we will bat out safely.