16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 15: Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have different views regarding the forthcoming series between Pakistan and India in March-April.

Talking to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, Wasim, who had called it a day last year, said that the expectations of the local crowd, friends and relatives could build pressure on Pakistan.

Wasim said that the Indians were also under similar pressure when Pakistan toured in 1999. However, Wasim was not in a position to call any team favourites but added it would be a good series.

Waqar, on the other hand, remarked that both teams would be under pressure. But the pressure would last till the end of the first match only. He agreed that Pakistan also faced the same pressure while touring India in 1999 but that lasted for four or five days.

To a question, Wasim said that he was ready to assist any bowler ofthe world in improving his skills as he did for the Indian pace bowler Irfan Pathan. Wasim, said that he had accepted PCB's offer toassist Pakistani bowlers for the series against India.

Waqar advised the public of both the countries to take the game as a game and should not become intensely emotional over a loss or win of their teams. He said that India had a strong batting line and it depended on the Pakistani bowlers how they performed against them.

Waqar, who was in the run to play the series, while replying toa question said that he still hoped to get a place in the team. Asked since he was not playing the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy,how could he make a comeback, Waqar said that hewas unwell, but would play some of the matches.