Inzamam confident of winning Asia Cup

Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed his confidence that Pakistan will put in an improved performance in the upcoming Asia Cup and throughout the 2004-05 season. Looking ahead to the Asia Cup, which starts on July 16 in Sri Lanka, Inzamam told AFP: "My team is now revitalised and after some organised coaching I am confident that we will successfully defend our title."

Talking about the inputs that Bob Woolmer, the new coach, had provided during his short stint with the team so far, Inzamam said: "It's not that we were not receiving good coaching previously but Woolmer has organised this team and has told us that we need to raise our commitment and performance level. He has told us that Australia should be the benchmark for us as in the coming season we are touring Australia."

Inzamam admitted that the biggest challenge to his team would come from India and Sri Lanka. "India's recent performances are very good and they are on the rise, so are the Sri Lankans, and we need to raise our level to beat them to defend our title."

Pakistan are placed in group A, along with Bangladesh and Hong Kong, while group B includes India, Sri Lanka and UAE. The top two teams from each group will go on to the next stage, where they will play each other in a league format, with the two best teams squaring off in the final on August 1.

After the Asia Cup, Pakistan will be involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in September, and will then host Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in a triangular one-day series, before touring Australia for three Tests and the triangular VB Series.

"It is my aim to be on the winning side against Australia in Australia and my last chance will be later this year." Inzamam was part of the line-up which was thrashed 0-3 on the previous tour, in 1999.