July 06, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1428

LAHORE, July 5: Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik on Thursday expressed disappointment over the washed out games in Scotland this week but appeared excited about the forthcoming home series against South Africa in September.

“We made fine preparations for the two matches against Scotland and India but rain put paid to all that. We will now focus on the South Africa series which will be a very tough one,” Shoaib told reporters after reaching Lahore from England alongwith nine other members of the team.

Pakistan were to play against Scotland on July 1 and arch-rival India on July 3 in Glasgow for the Prince Charles charity fund but torrential rains washed out play on both the days.

Commenting on the washed out match against Rahul Dravid’s India, Shoaib said he was anxiously waiting for the clash as it would have provided a real taste of competition but rain never allowed play to be held.

“Had the match taken place, it would have helped us to assess our real strength before taking on the Proteas,” he said. “Now we will work hard in the next two phases of the training camp to keep ourselves fit before the home series.”

The first phase of the training camp was held in Abbottabad prior to the departure of the team to England. Now the second and final phase will be held in Quetta and Karachi till August.

Besides Shoaib Malik, the others who returned from England on Thursday included all-rounder Abdul Razzak, Salman Butt, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftkhar Ahmad and Fawad Alam.

Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal and manager Talat Ali Malik are still in England and will return in a few days.