Pakistan takes heart from England collapses

If England's batting has given them cause for considerable concern thus far, then Pakistan at least will take some heart from it as they prepare to challenge Australia's conquerors. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain, told reporters after practice at Gaddafi Stadium yesterday that he was encouraged by the performance of Pakistan's second string of bowlers against England.

"I think our bowlers have done a splendid job in making their batsmen struggle for runs and our main bowlers should gain confidence and strength for the Tests. It just shows if our bowlers work hard enough their batsmen are also fallible despite their recent victories."

In four innings on tour so far, England have failed to score more than 256; on two occasions they were dismissed for 112 and 126. Yasir Arafat, with nine wickets in the first game, and Mohammad Asif, with ten in the second match, have been the principal beneficiaries of a combination of undisciplined batting and helpful conditions and green pitches.

Neither Asif nor Arafat are in Pakistan's 16-man squad for the first two Tests but Inzamam was adamant that the best fast bowlers had been selected. Pakistan have selected Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for the first two Tests and according to reports, all four have impressed in nets.

Inzamam said, "They (Asif and Arafat) will also get their chances when the time comes. But for the moment their performances are encouraging for us."

Mushtaq Ahmed, Pakistan's recalled legspinner, was also in bullish mood after England's batting collapses. "England is a very strong and well-knit side at the moment but they have struggled in Pakistan and it shows they are fallible. They will go into the first Test under some pressure after their batting problems. We should take advantage."

Having not played any competitive cricket - barring the Super Series and the Afro-Asia Cup - since June, Inzamam once again raised concerns about the lack of match practice for his team. "We have had proper fitness and cricket camps but the only concern for me remains our lack of competitive cricket in the last few months. Even I have not had a long bat for some time and am working hard on getting ready for the first Test."

Of equal concern seemingly is the weather conditions the series will be played under. Winter in the province of Punjab - where all the Tests are being played - usually sees disruptions in the day's play, due mainly to early morning fog and the rapid deterioration of light before sunset.

Inzamam told Reuters, "The weather will probably be a problem in the Tests and a lot of overs are likely to be lost which will have a bearing on the results." The first two Tests are scheduled to start at 9.30am while the final Test in Lahore will begin at 10.00am.

But Inzamam was still concerned that the full number of overs would not be completed. "The light gets bad 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled sunset time in these cities. I also don't think a 9.30am start would be feasible because the early morning dew leaves the ground wet."

In December 1998, when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan and won, famously their first overseas series victory 1-0, poor weather affected the last two Tests at Lahore and Faisalabad from December 10 to 21. The final Test at Lahore was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the heavy fog and together with the last day of the second Test at Faisalabad, meant that six whole days were lost to fog.