February 25, 2007	Sunday	Safar 7, 1428

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LAHORE, Feb 24: Better fitness and improved fielding will give Pakistan a real chance of victory in the 2007 World Cup, said Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq here on Saturday.

Addressing a crowded press conference, his first on the World Cup preparations, the bearded skipper said though there were some problems in the batting and bowling departments as well for Pakistan, his main worry was to overcome the declining standards of fielding and the numerous fitness problems.

"With better fielding, a team can save 30 to 40 valuable runs and that makes a big difference,” said Inzamam. “Furthermore, the fitness problems really affected our performance in England and recently in South Africa also. We have to show tremendous improvement in these two departments to have any real chance of lifting the World Cup," said Inzamam who will be playing his fifth World Cup since making his debut in 1991.

Commenting on the doubtful start of pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif due to fitness problems, Inzamam said the team needed them and that was the reason the PCB was willing to wait on their recovery from injuries.

"Both Shoaib and Asif are key fast bowlers and their availability makes our team a balanced outfit. I am hopeful they will soon be available for the team," he said.

Dispelling the impression that the team management had failed to discipline Shoaib in South Africa and previous tours, Inzamam said: “There is no disciplinary problem with Shoaib, the real issue is his fitness.”

Commenting on medium-pacer Umar Gul’s fitness, Inzamam said he was absolutely fit and should be an asset in the World Cup.

The Multan-born player admitted that the batsmen were off colour in majority of games in South Africa and Pakistan did not do well because of that.

"But the pitches in the West Indies will be different compared to South Africa and I expect our batting line-up will click there," said Inzamam, a veteran of 375 ODIs. “Batting wickets are also good for cricket as high-scoring matches provide spectators a lot of thrill," he said.

Comparing his team with Pakistan’s World Cup winning squad of 1992, Inzamam said luck played a major role in the victory in that tournament 15 years ago.

"I will be delighted if my team also gets a share of the same kind of luck which favoured the 1992 World Cup squad," he said.

Commenting on the team selection, Inzamam said though Rana Navid-ul-Hasan had a bad series in South Africa after a good one at home against the West Indies, he needed encourage to bounce back.

He admitted that leg-spinner Danish Kaneria had never been chosen as first-choice player for one-day cricket but has now been picked up for the mega event on his performance on the Caribbean pitches.

"The fitness problems during the South African tour forced us to consider different options and inclusion of Kaneria got weight since he is a senior bowler and he can deliver on West Indies pitches," he said.

Inzamam, however, looked agitated when confronted with querries about the dodgy opening slot. "I can't do anything in the next four days about it, so let it be what it is," he retorted. Dismissing the recent chequered form of defending champions Australia and the injuries in their side, Inzamam said he still considered them hot favourites for the big event.