Inzamam unhappy for failing to win Test series against West Indies by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	Pakistan in West Indies 2004/05

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DateLine: 12th June 2005

 

Pakistan's failure to win their Test series against the West Indies is a black spot for the country's fast-maturing side, captain Inzamam-ul Haq said, while voicing hopes for a good result against England and India this year.

 

"We have players who have been there for two years now and although the team is maturing, not winning a Test series is worrying for me," Inzamam told AFP on Sunday.

 

"The coming season is very important and I hope that we produce some good results, win a Test series and show the signs of a top team," he said.

 

The team returned late on Friday from Jamaica where Inzamam's century lifted his side to a 136-run win last week, ending the series in a 1-1 draw, after Pakistan scored a 3-0 win in the one-day series against the West Indies.

 

Before the Caribbean tour, Pakistan also tied a Test series 1-1 in India earlier this year following a 1-1 draw against Sri Lanka at home last year.

 

Pakistan lost 3-0 to Australia in the 2003-2004 season and suffered a 2-1 home series lost to India last year, but beat New Zealand 1-0 in January last year.

 

Pakistan hosts England for a three-match Test and five-match one-day series from October-December this year followed by another home series of three Tests and five one-dayers against rivals India early next year.

 

They also host the Asia Cup one-day tournament in February next year to be participated by India, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman beside defending champions Sri Lanka.

 

"The coming season is very important for us, we have England and India and have a major one-day tournament so we need to achieve more success and success is the barometer of a good team," said Inzamam.

 

Pakistan lost the first Test at Barbados by 276 runs where Inzamam and all-rounder Shoaib Malik missed out due to bans.

 

"You have injuries to key players which derails you. We lost the first Test because we missed a number of players and they (West Indies) took advantage of it and won," said Inzamam, who was facing a one-match ban for showing dissent in the last Test against India in March.

 

Inzamam said Pakistan missed express pacers Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Akhtar -- both declared unfit -- during the Test series.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)