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Pakistan bank on spin against Proteas
Real estate news By Gulf Daily News
Monday 1st October 2007
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said yesterday his team will not attempt to match South Africa's pace and will instead focus on their own strengths ahead of the Test series opener here. "They (South Africa) have six fast bowlers and one spinner, so we are not going to play on their strength," Malik said. "We will play on our strength and would do our best to win" the first Test starting here today. Pakistan are likely to play with leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and left-armer Abdul Rehman on a dry and well-prepared National Stadium pitch.
Malik leads a new-look Pakistan team that is without experienced batsman Inzamam-ul Haq and express paceman Shoaib Akhtar. However, Malik, leading Pakistan for the first time in a Test, remains unperturbed. "I am not nervous because I have played a lot of Tests and nothing is challenging if you have the commitment to do well," said Malik, who took over from Inzamam after Pakistan's first-round exit in the World Cup in the West Indies in March. But Pakistan can call on the services of batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who agreed to play for his country after cancelling a contract with a breakaway Indian league.
Malik already has success under his belt as skipper, leading Pakistan to a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka in a one-day tri-series in May and finishing runners-up in the Twenty20 world championships. He is confident other batsmen can step up and fill Inzamam's shoes. "Cricketers come and go but Inzamam was a world class player and will be missed but I think the available batsmen can come good for us in the Test," said Malik, Pakistan's 25th captain in Tests.
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