'India's turn to lose at home' - Inzi
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has signalled to India that Pakistan will seek to avenge last year's defeat at home
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"India will be under pressure at home. We lost the home series last year, now it could be India's turn to lose a home series," Inzamam was quoted by The News. "The Australian tour has been a big learning experience for all of us and I think we are in a position to reap the benefits in India. We definitely want to make amends for last year's defeats."
India recorded their first series victory in Pakistan last year when they won 2-1 in the Tests and 3-2 in the one-dayers. The composition of the Pakistan team has changed since then, prompting a precautionary note from Virender Sehwag, who said that the anonymity of some Pakistani players could help Pakistan. Bob Woolmer was appointed coach in place of Javed Miandad. "Woolmer has helped change the attitude of the boys which is more positive and professional," Inzamam continued, "and I think they can take the pressure of playing in India."
Haq said that the absence of Shoaib Akhtar, who opted out of the Test series with a hamstring injury, would be felt though he expected his spinners - Arshad Khan and Danish Kaneria to do the bulk of the bowling. "Our strength is playing as a unit. These two spinners [Arshad and Kaneria] have a big role to play in India. They are the ones on whom we will be depending a lot in the Tests as we are expecting slow turning tracks and we have been practising for such conditions."
Inzamam, who will be making his 100th Test appearance in the Third Test at Bangalore, will have a lot to prove on this tour. Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain, had called for Inzamam's axing after Pakistan's below-par performance in Australia. In the wake of severe criticism, Inzamam was uncertain about leading the side any further. "It's a huge challenge for the team as well as me. We can beat India in India provided we remain mentally strong and play as a team, because team spirit will be a deciding factor."
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