Inzamam fears England comeback against buoyant Pakistan by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 9th December 2005

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said his confident team would be wary of an England comeback in the five-match one-day international series which starts here on Saturday.

 

"Our win in the Tests has given us confidence, but I still think England is a very dangerous team and can stage a comeback in the one-dayers," said Inzamam, whose side won the preceding Test series 2-0 last week.

 

Inzamam, under whom Pakistan have won their last seven limited-overs internationals, said the outcome of the one-dayers was not a foregone conclusion despite the Test result.

 

"It is nice to think that we have been winning, but on the other hand it is tough to switch from Tests to one-day cricket. We won't take it lightly," said Inzamam, under whom Pakistan have won 37 of 59 matches.

 

Pakistan came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat India 4-2 before routing the West Indies 3-0 early this year.

 

Pakistan will be boosted by the return of vice captain Younis Khan and allrounder Abdul Razzaq.

 

Younis missed Pakistan's innings and 100-run win in the last Test here due to his brother's death, while Razzaq missed the whole series due to an elbow injury.

 

Pakistan, however, will miss one-day specialist Shahid Afridi who was banned for a Tests and two one-day internationals for damaging the pitch during the second Test at Faisalabad.

 

Inzamam said a decision on all-rounder Shoaib Malik will be made after he returns on Friday from Australia, where he has undergone new treatment on his bowling action after it was reported during the first Test against England.

 

England need to lift themselves from both the Test series defeat and from captain Michael Vaughan's absence with a knee injury.

 

Currently ranked six in the world, England also must beat Pakistan to get direct entry to the biennial Champions Trophy in India next year.

 

The tourists build-up to the series has not been auspicious, losing a warm-up game against Pakistan 'A' by a single wicket on Wednesday.

 

Marcus Trescothick, who will lead the side in Vaughan's absence, said England can beat Pakistan if they play well.

 

"Pakistan are a good side and got lot of experience. Obviously playing at home they are a great side over here," said the left-handed opener, who has previously led England in five one-dayers, winning three of them.

 

"It's going to be a tough challenge to beat them. We can beat them if we play well."

 

A sell-out crowd of 25,000 is expected to watch the first match, with proceeds from ticket sales going to victims of the South Asian earthquake.

 

Pakistan is also using two neutral umpires, instead of the prevalent one neutral and one home umpire, for the first time in one-day cricket.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)