Waqar Younis believes that Pakistan will be recognised as the world's best team by the end of the year. On the eve of the second Test against New Zealand, Waqar said he believed his squad was good enough to beat the current top dogs in world cricket, Australia and South Africa.

"We would like to wrap up the series," said Waqar, "and prove that we are the best team in the world after our home series against Australia in October this year and then a series in South Africa."

Inspired by Inzamam-ul-Haq's magnificent 329, Pakistan sent New Zealand crashing to an innings-and-324-run defeat in the first Test at Lahore, after wrapping up the one-day series 3-0.

"People do try to demean our recent victories by saying that we have beaten Bangladesh, West Indies and New Zealand," said Waqar, "but (we) would also beat Australia and South Africa."

Fortunes changed dramatically for Waqar when he was recalled to the side and given the Pakistani captaincy last April.

"I have learnt a lot and am satisfied with whatever results we have achieved," he said. "The only thing is to improve our consistency and record on home grounds."

Pakistan have not won a home series since whitewashing West Indies in 1997-98, and have lost six of their last seven home series since losing to Sri Lanka in 1995-96.

England recorded their first series win in Pakistan for 38 years when they won 1-0 in 2000-2001, the last series played in Pakistan.

Pakistan have since beaten minnows Bangladesh, but went on to lose their Asian Test championship title to Sri Lanka in March this year.

"We want to make our own people happy who have been disappointed with our home-series losses and it would mean a lot to us," he said.

Saeed Anwar has returned to the Pakistan squad after being sidelined since November last year due to a wrist injury. Saeed is now a devout Muslim with a long beard, and is likely to replace Shahid Afridi in the starting line-up.

"Saeed looks good in the nets and hopefully he would get runs," said Waqar. "Shoaib Akhtar is also improving from an ankle injury but a final decision on him will be taken before the match starts."

New Zealand's injury problems worsened when legspinner Brooke Walker dislocated a finger on his left hand. He is likely to be replaced by Scott Styris. Andre Adams, who helped New Zealand square their series against England in March, has also returned home after suffering a back injury.

"Injuries to key players have been a major worry for us," said New Zealand's captain Stephen Fleming. "We know we have a mountain to climb after a big defeat in the first Test but I hope we finish the tour on a high note with an improved performance in this Test."

New Zealand lost the services of Chris Cairns (knee injury) and Dion Nash (back problem) before the tour began, and Nathan Astle returned home after injuring his knee in the first one-day match in Karachi last month.

Teams (from)
Pakistan Shahid Afridi, Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Rashid Latif (wk), Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis (capt), Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Sami

New Zealand Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt), Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Brooke Walker, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Chris Martin, Mathew Sinclair, Robbie Hart (wk), Ian Butler, Scott Styris.

Umpires Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Rudi Koertzen (South Africa)

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