September 20, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 19, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 19: Sachin Tendulkar is not the only one who feels that India-Australia cricket rivalry has become bigger than the traditional India-Pakistan battles.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif feels the same and blames his country’s deteriorating bowling attack for the rather drab contests that India has come to dominate off late.

”The last few Test series between the two countries (India and Pakistan) have been lame and without that fizz and edge. Basically because we don’t have a bowling attack capable of running through sides or making top players like Tendulkar enjoy the competition,” Rashid said.

”Australia still has a quality bowling attack and I can understand the Indian players enjoying themselves against them because they have done well against the world champions and that must give them lot of pride,” Latif, who served in 37 Tests, said.

Tendulkar on Thursday said that India’s series against Australia have become bigger due to “competitiveness” exhibited by the two teams over the last eight years.

”Add to the fact that there have been so many controversies between India and Australia and obviously their series is now the contest to watch out for not Indo-Pak as used to be the case in the past,” Rashid stated.

He, however, feels absense of Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds will surely give some advantage to the hosts, when they face India on their home turf.

“Symonds had a psychological edge over the Indians with his recent performances specially in India, so his absence is a big advantage for India,” he insisted.—Agencies