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| 03 November 2004 | Wednesday | 19 Ramazan 1425 |
India failed to take home advantage: Wasim
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Pakistan's former captain Wasim Akram said on Tuesday the Indian cricket team blundered by failing to secure a tailor-made pitch at Nagpur, where they lost the third Test to Australia last Friday.
"The team management should have told the ground staff in advance what kind of pitch they wanted," Akram said of India's humiliating 342-run loss on a pitch suiting seam bowling.
Australia took a winning 2-0 lead in the four-match series, their first series victory in India in 35 years.
"You don't speak to the groundsmen just two days prior to the match but at least 10-15 days before it," said the legendary paceman at a press conference to announce his association with an Indian sports management firm.
"There is nothing wrong in making the most of playing at home. The coach (John Wright) should have ensured a good pitch for spinners," Wasim said.
Wasim also felt India did not have enough back up men to take on a top team like Australia.
"Irfan Pathan's absence was felt in the match. He is the best among the Indian pacemen right now but sadly there wasn't anyone who could fill in for him," he said.
Pathan was ruled out of the match because of a side strain and will also miss the last Test in Mumbai.
"India's pace bowlers lack consistency and fitness," said Wasim. "You don't see any of them doing well on a consistent basis and that is sad because they have a lot of potential."-AFP
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