KARACHI, Jan 26 Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Thursday described the National Stadium pitch lively for the third and deciding third Test starting from Sunday.

“Its typical Karachi pitch with fair amount of bounce and at later stage good for spinners,” he told media during a brief chat at NSK.

“Its nice square and pitches looked green. I am pleased to see the best square of the series three days prior to the Test match, Woolmer commented.

The pitch would be getting bit of routine trimming before being ready for the Test match.

He said weather disturbed the match in Lahore and Faisalabad pitch was too much in favour of batsmen.

Commenting on skipper Inzmamul Haq’s chances of playing the crucial third Test, he said “his chances of playing the third Test are 50/50.

Inzamam is working very hard on his fitness and we are crossing our fingers,” Woolmer added.

“If Inzamam failed fitness Test, Faisal Iqbal will be included in the team,” he remarked.

He said they will definitely missing allrounder Shoaib Malik, who he said was a fine cricketer.

Shoaib Malik will miss the third after passing away of his father in Sialkot.

In Shoaib Malik’s absence, it looked that left handed Imran Farhat or Kamran Akmal would be opening the innings with Salman Butt.

He, however, said speedster Shoaib Akhtar was in no real fitness problems and he was gearing up for third Test.

In the meantime majority of the players of Pakistan team rested in hotel but pacemen Muahmmad Sami, Rana Navedul Hasan, Muhammad Asif, opener Imran Farhat and Arshad Khan had a workout at the stadium.

Pakistan team will have a full training and net session at NSK on Friday at 2pm in build-up for the third Test.

—APP

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...