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| January 11, 2002 | Friday | Shawwal 26, 1422 |
Shifting of series disappoints Younis
DHAKA, Jan 10: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis Thursday admitted he was disappointed over the shifting of Pakistan’s home series against the West Indies to Sharjah, but said Pakistan needed to play international cricket.
“I think it’s disappointing from the point of view of our home players who have seen us playing in only one Test last year and are continuing to suffer,” Waqar said.
“But I am happy that after all Pakistan team is getting to play a series. International cricket is must and we suffered badly with none of our fault,” he said.
Pakistan Cricket Board Tuesday shifted Pakistan’s home series against the West Indies to sandy venue of Sharjah after West Indies insisted for shifting of the venue to some other place as they feared security of players in Pakistan.
Waqar refused to comment on West Indies Board’s insistence to switch the series.
“It’s not for me to comment. Sharjah has been a happy hunting ground for us and hopefully we’ll give West Indies a tough time there,” he said.
The PCB announced first of the two Tests will be held from Jan 31.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, who termed it disappointing, said the decision was taken in the best interest of the game.
“The series should have been played in Pakistan, but any how Pakistan needs international cricket and not cancellation after cancellation,” Saeed said.
“We feel that it’s always better to play before your home crowd, but again we need to play regularly at international level. When England is touring India for the one-day series it’s disappointing that West Indies demanded the switch,” he said.
Experienced Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said West Indies disappointed Pakistan.
“Their (West Indies) demands were disappointing because Pakistan is safe for cricket, even Clive LIoyd realized that,” Akram said. “But Sharjah is just like second home and we would do our best,” he added.
West Indies and Pakistan will arrive in Sharjah on Jan 27.
Meanwhile, Wasim Akram is doubtful for the second Test in the against Bangladesh, team doctor Riaz Ahmed said Thursday.
“Wasim pulled a hamstring muscle Wednesday and would take another five days to recover fully,” Riaz said.
Wasim bowled 2.4 overs on the opening day of the ongoing first Test in Dhaka before limping off the ground.
“Since pulling his muscle he has been responding to treatment and rest,” the doctor said. “Wasim, would bat with a runner.”
Wasim, playing his 104th Test, has been having problems with his fitness. He missed Pakistan’s Test series against New Zealand in March last year and had to sit out of the crucial series-deciding Test in Karachi against England in December 2000.—SADA
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