August 11, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 12, 1424

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LAHORE, Aug 10: Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said on Sunday that South Africa were performing well in England but they would face different conditions during the forthcoming tour of Pakistan.

Miandad said that he was looking forward to the series against Bangladesh, but he considered the home advantage and crowd would help Pakistan give Proteas a tough time.

The former Pakistan captain speaking on the second day of the training camp, set up for Bangladesh series, said that no team was strong if Pakistan prepared themselves fairly. “I believe if you are perfect then you should not be worried about the strength of any side and I am working on these lines.”

He was all praise for Shoaib Akhtar when asked whether the fast bowler was unreliable as far as his fitness was concerned. “It is a good decision of recalling Shoaib in place of injured pacer Mohammad Sami. Bangladesh team is arriving in Pakistan after playing the world champions (Australia) and a high class bowling attack is necessary for Pakistan to maintain the pressure on the visitors.”

However, Miandad refused to comment on Shoaib’s fitness level on wwhich PCB had spent millions of rupees.

Commenting on Inzamam-ul-Haq’s return, Miandad said that he was a great batsman and he had pinned great hopes on him.

Asked why he recalled Inzamam twice during Sunday’s nets, Miandad said that he wanted to watch properly.

“I have noticed some technical flaws in Inzamam’s batting during the World Cup and needed to guide him. That’s why I called him to bat again,” he explained.

Asked if the selection committee took his advice before selecting the boys for the training camp, Miandad said they always asked for his point of view which he gives.

Meanwhile, Inzamam said that he wished Pakistan make a whitewash of Bangladesh but no one could predict victory in cricket. He further hoped Pakistan remain unbeaten against South Africa also.

The tall batsman said that he was happy to play cricket and would try his best to score a century against Bangladesh in the first Test.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq said that he had never told PCB about his non-availability for the Bangladesh series and was always available.

It may be added here that PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, during a press conference at Lahore recently, had confirmed that Razzaq expressed his non-availability and then himself changed hi mind.

Razzaq said that he arrived back 10 days ago after sustaining an ankle injury during his stint with English county side Middlesex.

“The 10-day break helped me to regain fitness and now I am quite fit to take part in the series.” Razzaq said.