Inzamam gives it a spin

LAHORE: After all the talk about rattling the Indians with pace, Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq on Thursday said spinners would hold the key to success in the first cricket Test starting at Gaddafi Stadium here.

Freezing cold of the last few days had given way to bright sunshine and both Woolmer and Inzamam felt that the slow bowlers would come into play even though fast bowlers could have a say in the initial phase of the match.

“I expect high quality of spin bowling as both the teams have bowlers like Anil Kumble, Danish Kaneria, Harbhajan Singh, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik. The wicket has moisture underneath but with bright sunshine, I am hoping that the spinners would have a say as the Test progresses,” Woolmer said on match eve.

Inzamam echoed his coach’s opinion. “I am glad that the weather has eased out and there is bright sunshine. The wicket looks sporting and lively. It should assist the pacers earlier on but I foresee a big role for the spinners in the later stages of the game,” he said.

Inzamam insisted that the Indian batting was a formidable one and his bowlers would need to do hard work throughout and maintain discipline to dismiss them twice in a Test. Inzamam also said he was not concerned about the selection of Sourav Ganguly in the India team playing lineup.

“The Indian team has a strong batting lineup and we know that we have to bowl really well throughout the series to win matches. This is going to be a hard fought series and the team maintaining discipline and highest level of commitment would emerge winners.”