January 30, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 10, 1428

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KARACHI, Jan 29: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has spoken of his disappointment at losing the Test series in South Africa following Sunday's five-wicket defeat in Cape Town.

The victory in a low-scoring match gave the hosts a 2-1 series triumph.

“We have lost a golden opportunity to win a series overseas against a top side. It is one of the biggest disappointments of my career,” Inzamam said on Monday.

Pakistan struggled with injuries during the tour, with fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul sent home after the second Test, while all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq did not play at all.

Inzamam said despite the fitness problems, Pakistan still had a long way to go to become a top Test side.

“We have won many Tests at home, but to be ranked among the best you have to win overseas,” he said.

“The fitness problems with the bowlers didn't help, but it also showed that the team had grown together and learned to compete well.”

Paceman Mohammad Asif (19 wickets) and leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria (15) carried the weight of the bowling for Pakistan, earning praise from their skipper.

“(Asif) has immaculate length control and a natural ability to swing the ball both ways. He is also quick to spot a weakness in a batsman and work on it,” Inzamam said.

“Kaneria has improved his bowling and has the ability to take 500 Test wickets.”

Inzamam left the field on Sunday with a back spasm and was advised by doctors to rest for five or six days.

“Hopefully I will be available for the one-day series,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan made too many mistakes and spoiled a golden opportunity to win their first-ever Test series in South Africa, according to former cricket greats.

Former captain and all-rounder Imran Khan said the selectors’ decision to drop fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar from the tour was wrong.

Shoaib was flown to South Africa after injury to Umar Gul, and destroyed the South African top order on the opening day of the second Test match, which Pakistan won.

He pulled a hamstring after bowling just 11 overs, during which he took four wickets. He was later sent back home for treatment and rehabilitation.

“Pakistan committed the blunder of not taking Shoaib from the start of the tour and his injury at Port Elizabeth could have been because he wasn't match fit,” said Imran. “Some good things have also come out and now the team management realise Tests can only be won through match winners.”

Imran praised Asif for putting up a good show.

“Asif is well on his way to become one of the greats. If he gains a little bit of pace through weight training he can be more lethal,” said Imran.

And Imran criticised the decision to bat captain Inzamam-ul-Haq at six and Mohammad Yousuf at five.

“Yousuf is the best batsman alongside Australian Ricky Ponting at the moment but how many times Ponting has batted below three? And Ponting always leads from the front,” Imran pointed out.

He said Kaneria had talent but lacked the temperament of the now-retired Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne.

“Temperament was the biggest of Warne's assets and he used to perform when his team needed the most and when under pressure,” said Imran.

The legendary Warne retired earlier this month from Test cricket with a word record 708 wickets.

Another former captain, Zaheer Abbas, blamed players’ fitness and poor fielding for the series loss.

“We fought well in the series but our fitness and fielding left a lot to be desired,” said Zaheer.—Agencies