KARACHI, 27 January 2006 — Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq is facing a race against time to get fit for the third and final Test against India in Karachi from Sunday.

A Pakistan team official expressed confidence on Tuesday that Inzamam will recover from his back problem in time to play in the crucial Test as the first two Tests have already drawn on the lifeless tracks.

“He has been doing all the exercises recommended by the specialists under the supervision of physiotherapist Darren Lifsun and trainer Murray Stevenson in the dressing room and he appears to be in improved condition,” the official said. He insisted that the way Inzamam was involved in the planning and discussions for the final Test it appeared as if he had made up his mind to play in the match.

The Test starts exactly the day after the Pakistan captain completes six days of rest as recommended by the specialists after MRI scans detected a disc problem but no tear in his lower back, a problem that has been afflicting him for the last two years now. The back problem left Inzamam unable to take the field in the Indian innings and also struggling to bat with the help of a runner on the second day of the ongoing Test. “He looks to be improving and I would think he will play in the Test,” the official commented.

• The Pakistan team management is worried with the heavy workload being carried by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the ongoing Test series with India and are keeping their fingers crossed that he is fit and available for the crucial final Test in Karachi from Sunday.Shoaib who has a history of fitness problems like any other fast bowler has surprised everyone by playing through the home series against England without any injury problems and has also bowled manfully in the first two Tests against India on pitches which are graveyards for the bowlers.

• The match referee for the ongoing home series with India, Ranjan Madugalle has advised the Pakistani vice captain Younis Khan to control the behavior of his players on the field.

Madugalle called in Younis who is leading the team in place of the injured Inzamam in the second Test for a meeting and explained to him he didn’t want the series to be spoilt by irresponsible behavior from any player.

“Madaugalle said he wanted the series to be played in the proper spirit and in a friendly manner specially since it involved Pakistan and India, a Pakistan team source said.

Some of the Pakistani players notably Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar were seen apparently attempting to sledge the Indian players on the last two days of the Test with the umpires Simon Taufel and Rudi Koertzen having to step in and speak to Younis Khan about the situation.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid has refused to comment on incidents of sledging by the Pakistani players on Monday but hoped things didn’t get out of hand.