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Inzamam keen to avenge Indian defeats
February 27, 2005 16:52 IST
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq [Images] said his team wanted to avenge their first series loss at home to India when they arrive for their first full tour of their neighbours in six years on Monday.
Inzamam was captain when India beat Pakistan 2-1 in the tests and 3-2 in the one-day internationals last year -- their first series victory in Pakistan.
"The Australian tour has been a big learning experience for all of us and I think we are in a position to reap the benefits in India," Inzamam said on Sunday.
"We definitely want to make amends for last year's defeats."
Coach Javed Miandad was sacked after the series and replaced by Bob Woolmer [Images], which had improved the side said Inzamam.
"A lot has changed since that series.
"Woolmer has helped change the attitude of the boys which is more positive and professional and I think they can take the pressure of playing in India."
Pakistan will be without strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar [Images] in the test series after he ruled himself out with a hamstring injury, though recalled off spinner Arshad Khan and leg spinner Danish Kaneria are expected to do the majority of the bowling on the turning wickets.
"Shoaib's absence will be felt. But our strength is playing as a unit.
"These two (Khan and Kaneria) have a big role to play in India. They are the ones on whom we will be depending a lot in the test matches.
"We are expecting slow turning tracks and we have been practicing for such conditions."
Pakistan arrive in Delhi on Monday with their first match a three-day game against the Indian Board President's XI in Dharamsala from March 3.
Squad: Salman Butt [Images], Yasir Hameed [Images], Taufeeq Umar [Images], Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq [Images], Shoaib Malik [Images], Shahid Afridi [Images], Arshad Khan, Danish Kaneria, Muhammad Sami, Rana Naved, Muhammad Khalil.