Inzamam backs his slow bowlers

Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed the hope that Danish Kaneria and Arshad Khan, who will lead Pakistan's spin attack on the tour of the Caribbean later this month, can inspire Pakistan to a first-ever series victory in the islands. Pakistan will play two Tests and three one-day internationals, and will be anxious to reverse the result of their last tour in 2000, when some decidedly dodgy umpiring on a thrilling final day in Antigua denied them certain victory. Inzamam will miss the first Test in Barbados, after a breach of the ICC code of conduct during the Bangalore game against India.

With Haroon Rashid overseeing the first day of a three-day camp at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Inzamam reitereated that his side had a decent chance of winning in the West Indies, despite an overall record that shows only three wins, and nine defeats, in 18 Tests down the years. Speaking to The News, Inzamam said that Kaneria was performing well - he got more wickets than Shane Warne on the tour of Australia, and more than Anil Kumble on the tour of India - with Arshad providing quality back-up.

However, he stressed that Pakistan could also call on a clutch of fast bowlers, led by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the star of the one-day series win against India. And despite the absence of Mohammad Sami, out after heel surgery, and Shoaib Akhtar, ostensibly dropped for poor attitude and less-than-ideal fitness, the team was looking forward to the re-emergence of Shabbir Ahmed.

Inzamam supported the idea of a fielding coach being appointed once the team returned from the Caribbean, and also hinted that a bowling coach would be welcome, saying: "Our boys are new and it is about time that they learn from the coaching of great bowlers of the past."

Bob Woolmer, who was away with the A team, will take charge of the camp from Sunday. The team leaves for the West Indies on May 10.