LAHORE, June 28: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Monday he and his young team would not shrink from facing India and Australia in the season ahead.
"We are not wary of India or Australia and if we meet them in the hectic season more than once it's better for my young team's grooming because you learn while playing better opponents," Inzamam said.
Pakistan began training on Monday for a season in which they are due to play India at least three times. They will also face Australia at least twice in one-day games at neutral venues before their tour Down Under.
"We lost to India in our home series but it was a closer fight than projected. The team has to put that behind them and resolve to start afresh," said Inzamam, who is next in the firing line after coach Javed Miandad's contract was terminated.
Besides Pakistan and India, hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and qualifiers the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong feature in the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka from July 16 to Aug 1.
Pakistan also square off with world champions Australia and India in a tri-series in the Netherlands from Aug 20 to 27. They then meet India again in the ICC Champions Trophy in September before hosting Zimbabwe in a proposed tri-series of one-day matches, with Sri Lanka likely to be the third team.
Pakistan then tour Australia for three Tests and a tri-series involving the West Indies from December 2004 to February 2005. Their season culminates with a tour of India in February-March next year.
"We know the outings against India and Australia are difficult but I believe on the saying that when its tough, the tough get going and this will have to be learnt by the boys," the Pakistani captain said.
Inzamam added that Bob Woolmer's introduction was a positive step. "Miandad worked a lot on batting techniques and the management felt that there is a need to bring in more discipline and professionalism, so we now have Woolmer who transformed South Africa into a good unit in 90s." -AFP
