January 28, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 27, 1426

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KARACHI, Jan 27: A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) admitted on Friday he had not expected a batsmen-dominated three-Test series against archrival India that stands locked at 0-0 after two matches.

“It’s wrong to say that we wanted dead wickets,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters.

“We did not go into the series with a defensive mindset and did not pass any instructions to the groundsmen to prepare dead tracks,” he added.

Batsmen from both teams scored prolifically in the two Tests as Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan led the tally with scores of 199, 83 and 194 in the three innings.

The PCB chairman blamed wet weather in the province of Punjab for effecting the pitch preparations at Lahore and Faisalabad where only 36 wickets fell out of possible 80 and 2791 runs were scored.

“Groundsmen did not get enough sunshine at both venues and that’s why we saw two high-scoring draws,” Khan said.

The third Test begins here from Sunday and PCB official expected to have a good hard and bouncy wicket that could produce a result.

“The weather in Karachi has been fine and I think we will see some good quality cricket. It will be a good contest between bat and ball,” he said.

Pakistan had their net session at the National Stadium on Friday and coach Bob Woolmer was happy to finally see a grassy wicket prepared for the decisive match.

“I am pleased to see the best square of the series two days before the game,” Woolmer said.

“It looks a typical Karachi wicket which should have good bounce in the beginning and help spinners later in the game.”

The Pakistan coach hoped that his two key players — captain Inzamamul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar — would get fit for the all important Sunday’s game.

Inzamam had a sore back after he made one of the 12 centuries scored in the series at Faisalabad. He did not take the field in the Indian innings and also did not bat in Pakistan’s second innings.—AP