27 February 2005	Sunday	17 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, Feb 26: Pakistan's spin weapon Danish Kaneria got a "good omen" ahead of his side's India tour when his wife gave birth on Saturday to the couple's first child, which he hoped would bring him good luck on the pitch.

Kaneria, 24, who will lead Pakistan's spin trio, had to skip a short two-day training camp in Lahore to be with his wife Dharmeta and will join the team on Sunday.

"It's a good omen for me and I hope the girl would bring good luck to me on the challenging tour of India," Kaneria told AFP.

"As per the Hindu traditions it is a Shubh (good omen). She looks like me and I am very happy on the birth of my first child."

Pakistan's team is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Monday where they play three Tests and six one-day games on their first tour of India since 1999.

Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan behind wicket-keeper Anil Dalpat, emerged as Pakistan's top bowler taking 15 wickets in three Tests against Australia early this year.

He believes the Australia tour has matured him and he can excel in the series against India, expected to be dominated by spinners.

"Australians are better and subtle batsmen and I think the tour of Australia has given me the much needed confidence to tackle Indian batsmen," he said.

India has world class batsmen in Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and Vangipurappu Laxman, against whom great Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has generally struggled against them.

"Warne's exploits are known but if he did not come good in India, it doesn't mean I will also fail," the Pakistani said.

Since making his Test debut against England in 2000, Kaneria has grabbed 102 wickets in 23 Tests for Pakistan.

"Everyone says that Indian spinners are superior to us. This could be a blessing in disguise and would free our minds to perform," said Kaneria.

He has off-spinner Arshad Khan and leg-spinning all-rounder Shahid Afridi to supplement the spin attack.

India has illustrious leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with more than 400 wickets, and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh as their frontline spinners.

Kaneria said his main target would be Dravid.

"Dravid is their linchpin and I would target him because it's very tough to get him. He truly is a 'wall' against whom you have to bowl well," he said.

"I am more than a hundred percent ready for the challenge."-AFP