October 26, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 13, 1428

NEW DELHI, Oct 25: Pakistan will miss retired captain and free-scoring batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq in upcoming clashes with India, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on Thursday.

“Inzamam is the Sachin Tendulkar of Pakistan and his decision to retire from international cricket recently will definitely be an advantage for India,” Harbhajan told the Hindustan Times.

Inzamam, 37, who scored 8,830 Test runs and 11,739 one-day runs in a glorious 15-year career, retired earlier this month after the two-Test series against South Africa.

Harbhajan said he looked forward to renewing battle with Pakistan, who tour India from Nov 1 for five One-day Internationals and three Tests.

“Pakistan are no lightweights,” he said. “We cannot take them lightly.

Pakistan still have several good players like Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik.”

Harbhajan said India’s win over Pakistan in the final of the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last month will give the hosts the psychological edge.

“We beat Pakistan in the T20 final and we will definitely have an edge over them,” the 27-year-old said.

When Pakistan last toured India in 2005, Inzamam’s men won the final Test in Bangalore to draw the series 1-1 and beat the hosts 4-2 in the one-dayers.—AFP