Mushtaq available, Saeed doubtful starter for one-dayers (2 November 1998)

2 November 1998

Mushtaq available, Saeed doubtful starter for one-dayers

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 1: Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad confirmed his availability for the three one-day internationals against Australia but Saeed Anwar said he was a doubtful starter and Inzamam-ul-Haq stated that he would miss the first match.

Mushtaq and Saeed missed third and final cricket Test against Australia and also pulled out of the International Cup in Dhaka along with Inzamam because of injuries.

Mushtaq, who has 144 wickets in 130 matches, said he was much better and fitter after staying away from cricket for two weeks.

"The injury needed rest and I think I have given it enough break. It is not bothering me any more," Mushtaq said from Lahore.

However, Saeed Anwar said: "My back is still stiff and the pain is there. I would consult Dr Dan Keisal (team physiotherapist) on Monday before conveying my decision to the selectors."

Inzamam said: "The toe is alright but the knee is creating problems. I have started running but the knee is not well. I am hoping to be available for the second and third matches."

The National selection committee meets on Monday to finalize a 14-man team for the one-dayers to be played at Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore on Nov 6, 8 and 10 respectively.

Saeed Anwar, a scorer of 5,759 runs in 158 one-dayers, stated that he has not picked up his bat since the second Test against Australia.

"I have not played any cricket for the last two weeks. Presently, I am spending most of my time in a swimming pool to strengthen by back," Anwar, who scored 194 against India last year, said.

"But I can feel pain in the back while I walk," he maintained.

Mushtaq Ahmad, nevertheless, was confident that he would play in the first one-dayer.

"I would be starting to turn my arm from Monday. Two good but tough days of training would make me fit and ready for the opening match," he remarked.

He said he was hampered by a left knee injury which he sustained during the first Test at Rawalpindi.

"It is not the knee which was operated upon in 1996," he said.

But there was no good news from the camp of speedster Waqar Younis who ruled out a comeback in the one-day matches.

"I am not fit. And until I don't think I have regained complete fitness, I am not returning," he said.

The speed merchant stated that he was undergoing strenuous weight training for his injured bowling elbow. "But I haven't tried it yet.

"I would be playing a three-day Patron's Trophy Grade-II match for Redco in Islamabad from Nov 12. Only after that I will know where I stand," Younis, who has 267 Test and 281 one-day wickets, said.

The 27-year-old bowler has played just two first-class matches this season, including Australia's tour opener at Karachi last month.

"As soon as I thought I was ready for competitive cricket, I would confirm my availability to the selectors. But I don't think I would be available before the series against Zimbabwe."

Meanwhile, nothing can be said with certainty about former captain Salim Malik after the batsman turned out to be a shadow of himself in the third Test and in Dhaka. He earned a pair and scored 16 in his last two matches.

But the selectors are perplexed as to who would replace a veteran of 274 one-dayers in which he has scored 7,045 runs. "There is not much time left before the World Cup. Every other team has finalized its side and knows about its combinations."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)