March 15, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 14, 1427

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COLOMBO, March 14: Pakistan’s cricket manager Zaheer Abbas believes if Pakistan can improve on their fielding they can produce results much better than they have achieved so far.

“The results produced by team prove we are doing pretty well. We have a very good batting and bowling line up, but still struggling with fielding,” he told Daily News on Tuesday.

Pakistan play three One-day Internationals and two Tests against Sri Lanka, with the first ODI on Friday under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

“Our fielding is little weak. We lay emphasis in this area. We can sort problems with batting, bowling but fielding is long process to come up to a certain standard.

“I hope before World Cup commences or before we go to England this year it will improve so that we will altogether be a different team.”

He blamed it on rough ground conditions at home where outfields are virtually devoid of grass.

“The boys are not used to diving for ball. In Sri Lanka and other places they have grassy grounds so they know how to dive. That is why our fielding has not improved so much,” he said.

“We are now emphasising a lot on fielding starting with under-15, 17 and 19 age groups and started to grow more grass on outfield. We encourage boys to wear elbow protection so that they don’t get injured. Once they know how to dive on ball you will see changes.”

He said: “We are aiming for World Cup. With this in mind we have selected a few youngsters. This is a young team and is here to get experience. We hope this team will deliver goods for Pakistan.”

He stressed absence of key fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar (injured), Mohammed Sami (dropped) and Shabbir Ahmed (banned) has not in any way weakened side’s bowling.

“Shoaib is very good bowler and big name in cricket. We would like to know his health as after his operation we don’t know anything,” said Zaheer.

“Sami will be back soon. Shabbir was a good strike bowler for Pakistan. But we have sufficient bowlers like Mohammed Asif and Rana Navedul Hasan to fill gaps.”

Pakistan’s cricket started to show signs of improving after appointment of Inzamamul Haq as captain and Bob Woolmer, as coach.

“If you have a good combination of team, captain and coach are also good, team has to progress. Over the past two to three years results were more in Pakistan’s favour,” said Zaheer.

“Woolmer has done lot of good to Pakistan cricket. He is working very hard and showing new methods. If you learn new methods you are bound to do well. That’s what present day cricket requires.”

Zaheer, 58, played for Pakistan in 78 Tests and 62 One-day Internationals between 1969-70 and 1985-86. One of most stylish accumulator of runs ever to come out of Pakistan he also scored prolifically for English county Gloucestershire for many years.

Later he managed Pakistan sides, was national selector and chairman junior selection committee.

He was pleased at way Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India are progressing in international cricket today. He hoped Bangladesh will improve so that Asia would become a strong unit.

“I’d like to see Asian cricket play match like South Africa-Australia one-dayer in Johannesburg and reach such heights. We have ability to match Australia and South Africa. Only thing lacking is fitness and mental strength. That’s what we need from Asian teams.”

“Basically our physique is not that strong so we have to be stronger physically as well as mentally. That is only difference. With our techniques and game we can take on anybody. That gap can be bridged by hard work,” he said.—Agencies