While talking to this correspondent here on Saturday, Salahuddin, who is popularly known as Sallu in the cricketing circles, hoped that Pakistan will play to their potential in the three One-day Internationals against India.

The Indians, who recently trounced Pakistan 4-1 in the Sahara Cup in Toronto (Canada), will meet their arch-rivals in the opening match at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad tomorrow. The remaining matches are on Tuesday (Sept 30) here at the National Stadium and on Thursday (Oct 2) under floodlights at the Gadhafi Stadium in Lahore.

Sallu said the elevation of Saeed Anwar to the captaincy augurs well for Pakistan because the left-handed opening batsman is a well respected individual, who is held in high esteem by his team-mates. He also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for naming wicket- keeper Moin Khan as vice-captain to Saeed, and added that Moin is a tough-minded cricketer who hates losing.

The ex-Test cricketer pointed out that Pakistan fared so miserably in Toronto because Rameez Raja was unable to maintain the discipline in the team which resulted in the unfortunate fiasco during the second match when Inzamam-ul-Haq took matters into his hands and went after an Indian spectator who had been taunting him on the megaphone from the stands. Salahuddin said that there is no reason why Pakistan should not avenge the Sahara Cup defeat instantly since they have an abundance of talented players in the side.