FAISALABAD, 24 October 2003 — Pakistan have dropped the idea of playing three leg spinners in the second and final Test against South Africa starting today.
“I think if we go in with three spinners it would not allow us to play positive cricket. It would be a negative move. I think we will play the same spinners that we did at Lahore,” Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq told reporters yesterday.
Pakistan’s spinners claimed 12 victims to help the hosts to an eight-wicket victory in the first match of the series in Lahore.
Pakistan will be without strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, who is serving a three-match ban, and Mohammad Sami who has a viral infection and ankle problem.
“We will feel their absence,” Inzamam said. “The pitch I don’t think will take turn from the first day as it did in Lahore, but it will start turning from the second day onwards and our spinners again have a lot to do.” South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Shoaib’s absence will be significant.
“I think a lot of the pressure came from Shoaib, who bowled really well and knocked down the top order,” he said. “Hopefully, our batters will take more responsibility and play positively against the spinners.”
Pakistan have made three changes, Inzamam replacing Yousuf Youhana who captained the side in his absence and seamers Abdul Razzaq and Shabbir Ahmed coming in for Shoaib and Sami.
South Africa are likely to bring in spinner Robin Peterson for seamer Andre Nel.
“I think in many ways the defeat at Lahore, though disappointing, as we let ourselves down in many areas, has given us a goal to fight back,” Smith said.
India-New Zealand One-Dayer Abandoned
In Madras, India, rain forced the abandonment of the day/night One-Day International between India and New Zealand yesterday.
India had reached 141 for three from 26.5 overs, with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 48 and left-hander Yuvraj Singh on 29 after the hosts’ stand-in captain Rahul Dravid elected to bat. Opener Virender Sehwag (31), Vangipurappu Laxman (25) and Dravid (four) were the three men out.
World champions Australia are the third team in the triangular tournament.
