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| November 10, 2006 | Friday | Shawwal 17, 1427 |
West Indies to target Kaneria in Tests
LAHORE, Nov 9: West Indies will target Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in the Test series despite his reputation of being a wicket-taking bowler, coach Bennett King told reporters here on Thursday.
The Australian, who has been with West Indies for the last two years, said Kaneria was one of Pakistan's main strike bowlers in the absence of pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.
“But we played him quite well last year at home even when the wickets did turn and even though he is a wicket-taking bowler we will be looking to score off him quickly,” King said.
The teams drew a two-match series last year in the Caribbean with Kaneria taking five wickets in his last innings in Jamaica to spin the touring side to victory.
Kaneria, who has captured 169 wickets in 40 Tests, remains Pakistan's best hope of winning the series.
West Indies have brought an inexperienced squad on their first tour of Pakistan since 1997, with only captain Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul having played in the country before.
King said he was looking to senior players like Lara, Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan to lead the way in the first Test starting on Saturday.
“They have been playing Test cricket for a while now and the younger players can take inspiration from their seniors,” he said.
All rounder Gayle, who was man of the tournament in the recent Champions Trophy in India, missed the two-day practice match before the first Test due to a stomach bug.
West Indies lost their last Test series in June against India. Their last Test win came against Pakistan in Barbados in May, 2005.—Reuters
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