NEW DELHI, 1 March 2005 — Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq feels India will be under more pressure in their long-awaited Test series because of huge expectations from home fans in the cricket-crazy country.
The Pakistan squad landed in New Delhi amidst tight security yesterday for their first full series in India in six years, the latest sign of warming ties between South Asia’s nuclear rivals.
“There was intense pressure on us when India came to Pakistan last year and I think the pressure this time will be on India,” Inzamam told a news conference.
“There are many advantages of playing at home, like choice of pitch and home support. But if you see in the last five to six years, the home team comes under more pressure because fans expect them to win all the time,” he said.
Pakistan are without injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar but Inzamam said they have enough firepower to make up for his loss.
“The absence of Shoaib will be felt but our young players will come good for the team,” he said.
The teams are scheduled to play three Tests and six One-Day Internationals during the tour. Pakistan arrived in India after a 3-0 Test series defeat in Australia in January which Inzamam blamed on batting failures on bouncy pitches.
“The pitches in India are quite similar to Pakistan, slow and helpful for spinners and our batsmen will do well,” he said.
Inzamam, who is three short of playing in 100 Tests, is looking forward to reaching the milestone in the final match in Bangalore.
“It has been my dream to reach such a landmark,” he said. “But it is more important I play an innings that helps my team win.”
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer hoped his team would get to play on suitable Test pitches.
“We are hopeful we get to play on good pitches which last five days,” he said. “Drawing a game has gone out of the equation these days, although an exciting draw is also good.” The Tests will be played in Mohali from March 8-12, Calcutta from March 16-20 and Bangalore from March 24-28.
Cricket has remained a vital indicator of the state of relations between the hostile neighbors, who stood on the brink of a third war over disputed Kashmir in mid-2002.
The Indian government lifted a ban in late 2003 on home and away matches against Pakistan after a thaw in relations.
Politics continued to play a part in cricket, however, when Pakistan cited security concerns for refusing to play a Test in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the main city of the western Gujarat state, which was rocked by religious riots in 2002 that killed around 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. Pakistan have agreed to play an extra sixth one-dayer in the city.
Earlier, the 16-man squad and the support staff, led by coach Bob Woolmer, arrived at the heavily-guarded Indira Gandhi Airport in the Indian capital by a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore.
Gun-toting commandoes kept a strict vigil as the tourists were whisked off in buses to their downtown hotel. The 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) route from the airport to the hotel was dotted with security personnel in uniform and plainclothes.
“I am delighted to be back in India,” Inzamam said on arrival at the hotel.
“I have always enjoyed playing here because people are crazy about cricket.
“I am not worried about security. My only concern is how my team plays on the tour.”
The Pakistanis will stay overnight in New Delhi before boarding a chartered aircraft this morning for Dharamshala, the northern hill resort where the three-day tour opener against the Indian board president’s team starts on Thursday.
Pakistan squad:
Inzamam ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan (vice capt), Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Taufeeq Umar, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Arshad Khan, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Sami, Rana Navedul Hasan, Mohammad Khalil.
Manager: Salim Altaf. Coach: Bob Woolmer.
