November 03, 2007	Saturday	Shawwal 21, 1428

KARACHI, Nov 2: Pakistan cricket legend Hanif Mohammad on Friday said that the national team currently touring India was a balanced unit and had the services of several match-winning players like Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Hanif, a former Pakistan captain and one of the greatest batsmen produced by the country, said that players like Shoaib and Afridi had the ability to win matches almost single-handedly and predicted that the duo will play a major role in Pakistan’s campaign in the ODI series against India starting from November 5 in Guwahati. The diminutive batsman, known as the Little Master, said both Pakistan and India were exciting teams and some close contests were expected in the ODI series.

He, however, warned that Pakistan will have to give their best under pressure if they are to win on Indian soil. “Pakistan-India encounters are always high-pressure games and the side which can give its best under such circumstances always wins.”

Hanif advised Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik to remain calm during the series and marshal his troops with confidence and positive frame of mind. “Malik is a new captain and obviously he would be under enormous pressure. I think he should try to remain as calm as he can and get the best out of his players in India.”—Agencies