KARACHI, Aug 13: A disappointed Asian XI captain Inzamamul Haq feels his side can beat an African XI in next week’s inaugural Afro-Asian one-day series in South Africa despite several stars pulling out.

“It’s disappointing to lose stars like Rahul Dravid and Sanath Jayasuriya, but Asia still has the firepower to beat Africa,” Inzamam said before departing for South Africa with three other Pakistan players.

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will fly from England and join the Asian squad in Johannesburg on Monday.

“This may not be the best Asian XI and I think the respective Boards of the countries should have ensured the availability of the players before selection, for the cause of Asia,” said Inzamam, also captain of Pakistan.

The series opens with a match at Centurion, on Aug 17 before moving on to Durban for two more fixtures on Aug 20 and 21.

The Asian XI, already without India’s injured Sachin Tendulkar — the leading scorer in one-day cricket — was further depleted on Friday when Sri Lankan opener Jayasuriya and India’s prolific number three Dravid pulled out.

Last week Pakistan’s one-day specialist bowler Rana Navedul Hasan dropped out due to his commitments with English county Sussex and was replaced by Mashrafe bin Mortaza of Bangladesh.

In another major blow frontline pacers Irfan Pathan of India and Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka were both sidelined due to injuries.

Indian pair Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan came in as replacements, while Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu and batsman Mahela Jayawardene, and Bangladesh’s Khaled Mashud are in contention to come in for Dravid and Jayasuriya.

The Asian XI will be coached by former Sri Lankan fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake.

Inzamam admitted the Asian XI faced more of a challenge now that a lot of first choice players were missing.

“Definitely the chances of the team are hit badly because players who have been performing well were selected, but we would still give them a tough fight,” said Inzamam, who has the second most one-day runs behind Tendulkar.—AFP