September 27, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 29, 1424

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LAHORE, Sept 26: Javed Miandad on Friday claimed that Pakistan team would not present victory to South Africa on a platter and would put up a strong fight during the five One-day and two Test match series.

Talking to Dawn, Miandad said that no doubt South Africa was a tough team but Pakistan was quite capable of meeting the challenge.

“The mighty teams of the world have not been under estimating Pakistan whether it comprises seniors or juniors as we have the talent to upset the best of the teams.”

“In the past, West Indies, one of the toughest teams of the world felt threatened by us “ Javed said.

He declared that the best possible team had been selected for the South Africa series.

Commenting on Mushtaq Ahmad’s inclusion, he stated that it was ample proof that no one could stop a performer from making a comeback.

“ You can boost the morale of a player by giving him proper chances and it is the way to save the future of all”, Miandad said.

On the cancellation of Karachi and Peshawar centres from the series Miandad clarified that PCB did its best and the people should not take this opportunity to spread prejudice among the masses.

“I also belong to Karachi, but I believe the PCB did all that it could and the people should be grateful to God the series has been salvaged and international cricket returned to Pakistan, if not to the two cities”, Miandad emphasised.

He pointed out that India was a big country and many cities could not be included in home series.

Expressing his personal satisfaction over his performance as coach Miandad, who was reappointed after the World Cup-2003, for the third time, and given chance to new players in an attempt by the chief selector to increase pool of players remarked “ If you consider my performance keeping in view the nascent talent, I was given, then it is quite satisfactory,”.

Meanwhile, the national training camp started at the National Cricket Academy ground on Friday.

Twenty-two players, including 16 members of Pakistan team and six reserves have been called for the camp. Among them four members of the team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, Yousaf Youhana and Shoaib Malik did not attend the camp on first day.

All four will be in the camp from Saturday, Miandad said.

APP adds: Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif predicted a tough series against visiting South Africa but added if batsmen showed consistency they were capable of winning.

“Our batsmen looked in good nick against Bangladesh and particularly Inzmam, Youhana, Younis, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik had shown good form”, he said on Friday prior to departure for Lahore.

“If they maintained the same rhythm and spirit, Pakistan can offer Proteas a great challenge” he asserted.

Rashid, who stepped down as captain for personal reasons, said Pakistan now got formidable bowling attack in presence of pace quartet of Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq.

“Inclusion of leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will give our bowling more variety” he said.

Rashid who led Pakistan to 3-0 win over Bangladesh in Test series said he resigned as captain due to personal reasons and now looking ahead to perform well as wicket-keeper and batsman to bring honour and glory to the country.

He, however admitted that Graeme Smith’s South African side was a strong outfit. “They possess rock like batting in Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis and Jacques Rudolph”, he said.—APP