KARACHI, 12 November 2003 — Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq yesterday said he was anxiously waiting for Saurav Ganguly’s Indian team, after India’s announcement of plans to tour its rival for the first time in 14 years.

“I want the wait to end as quickly as possible, not only me but billions of people across Pakistan and India and other parts of the world want to see both play each other as soon as possible,” Inzamam told AFP.

India snapped all bilateral cricket with Pakistan.

But on Sunday India announced it is set to tour Pakistan in March and April next year for a full Test series, their first tour since the 1989-90 season.

“It’s a long and undue wait,” said Inzamam, who featured in all three Tests when Pakistan last toured India in 1998-99. “I sincerely hope that we play series at least once in two years.”

Inzamam’s counterpart Saurav Ganguly on Monday said he was delighted at the prospect of touring Pakistan.

And Inzamam admitted that Pakistan fans are already anticipating a home victory.

“The frenzy is catching up and people have started to call us and say that they want us to beat India on home ground,” said Inzamam, who now leads a young side undergoing a rebuilding phase.

And Inzamam affirmed that the match should prove to be a major challenge for the visiting Indians.

“No one should take us lightly. The way we won the series against South Africa goes to prove that we are shaping up well,” he said, referring to his side’s 1-0 home win over South Africa last month.

“If India has Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly we have the firepower of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami so it would be an evenly contested series.”

Elliott’s Century Guides Victoria to Solid First Day Score in Shield

In Melbourne, commanding opener Matthew Elliott hit a solid 106 as Victoria compiled a steady 255 for six wickets in their first innings yesterday on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

Left-hander Elliott was dropped several times on his way to hammering 12 boundaries in his five-hour knock at the Junction Oval. He was the only top-order batsman to make the most of his good start after Victorian captain Cameron White won the toss for the home team and elected to bat.

Fellow opener Jason Arnberger (35), Brad Hodge (42) and David Hussey (34) all started soundly and seemed set for big scores on an evenly-paced wicket before they were dismissed.