Captains agree that Pakistan start as favourites
Staff and Agencies - 23 October 2000

Moin: will play despite a sore throat Photo © AFP Alexander Joe

Both Captains agree that Pakistan will start the one-day series against England as favourites.

Despite suffering from flu like symptoms, Moin will lead Pakistan on Tuesday: "We have no fitness worries and will enter the match with the best combination," he confirmed.

With an eye to exploiting England's perceived weakness against high-class spin bowling both Saqlain and Mushtaq Ahmed are likely to start for the home side.

"Spinners are our strength but we have a varied attack which is one of the best in the world," coach Javed Miandad said, a view shared by Nasser Hussain.

"Pakistan are a multi-dimensional side and are hard to beat in their den but we have prepared well for the test," Hussain confirmed. He also declared himself happy with England's assured performance in their two warm-up matches.

"The way the boys have played is satisfactory but playing against the varied attack of Pakistan will be totally different."

The captains also agree that rumours of turmoil within the Pakistan camp are of little relevance.

"We have been hearing all such stories of internal bickering for the last several years but when they come out in the middle they give their best," Hussain commented.

"We had some cricketing problems which we discussed with the Board and it's all sorted out now," reiterated Moin. "Whenever these problems come along it makes us more determined and we gain our confidence from that, it's always a boost to us."

"I agree with what Wasim said before the series started about us being favourites. We are playing at home, we have a very good side and we're very confident about it."

"England will not be easy prey but we start the match as favourites," he said.

Javed Miandad was keen to state how Pakistan have anticipated this series.

"We've all been looking forward to this series for so long, even when we were in Kenya we were looking forward to playing England," stressed Javed.

"England have done well for the last six or seven months and we know it won't be an easy series. Cricket is so unpredictable, and I watched England play against The West Indies and Zimbabwe and they were excellent."

"I think Nasser was very clever when he arrived because he put everything on us, saying we were favourites and we were a much better side," he said. "England played superbly recently and this is going to be a very tough series for us."

"We have to be at our best in fielding because this is the area where we are often let down," said Miandad.

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