KARACHI, Nov 4: Former Pakistan batting maestro Hanif Mohammad, terming West Indies as favourites for the home series, urged the local authorities to prepare spin-friendly pitches.

West Indies are due to arrive on Monday for a series three Tests and five One-day Internationals against Pakistan with the first Test starting on Nov 11 at Lahore.

Hanif said the West Indies have already proved in the Champions Trophy that they are improving and are favourites against Pakistan in the series.

Hanif maintained in the absence of banned Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, preparing fast pitches would be foolish and added that leg-spinner Danish Kaneria would be Pakistan’s trump card.

“Danish will be our main hope in the absence of Shoaib and Asif and in my view not preparing spin-friendly wicket would be a mistake,” he noted.

Commenting on bans on Shoaib and Asif, Hanif said the decision against the pace duo was 'harsh'. “A ban for few matches and fine of Rs0.5m to Rs1m would have been enough for the offence.” —Agencies