Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq today promised a better show during the upcoming tour of India, saying the tough series against Australia had battle-hardened his young teammates. “We have learnt a lot from the tour of Australia which will help us in more ways than one when we tour India,” Inzamam told reporters here after the team’s return from a long and disappointing Australian tour. Pakistan were swept 3-0 in the three-Test series by the Aussies but they managed to win three one-day internationals in the triseries to make it to the best-of-three finals which they lost 2-0. The Pakistan team will leave for India on February 25, their first tour since 1999, for a three-Test and five-match one-day series. Team coach Bob Woolmer said if the players did not repeat the mistakes they made in Australia, they could do well against India. “I hope the players will capitalise on what they have learnt in Australia and if they do not repeat the mistakes they committed in Australia, they can always do well. I think that overall the Australian tour was an interesting one because it gave us a chance to pick men from out of the boys.” Inzamam stressed on the need for his bowling line-up to fire against the strong batting of India. “We need a strong bowling lineup and I hope that all our injured bowlers regain their fitness to help us in India. We know India is a tough team in their den because they have a strong batting lineup and they catch their opposition through their spinners,” he said. Pakistan have been struggling in the bowling department with questions marks on the fitness and form of strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, who also faces disciplinary action for contract violation, and Mohammad Sami. Tendulkar holds the key, says Saeed Anwar Karachi: Sachin Tendulkar will be the difference between winning and losing for Pakistan when they tour India later this month, according to former Pakistani captain Saeed Anwar. The world-record holder for the highest one-day score says even a half-fit Tendulkar would pose a threat to the prospects of Pakistani team which is to play three Tests and five one-dayers against the arch-rivals. “I know every Pakistan supporter will be hoping that Sachin doesn’t play while the Indians must be praying for his speedy recovery,” Anwar said here today. “I mean that’s natural. A half-fit Sachin is also a threat to the opponents. He is such a big influence that his presence in the dressing room motivates his team and keeps the opponents under pressure. (PTI)
