Despite the 2-3 reversal in the one-day series, Pakistan speedster Shoaib
Akhtar believes his team can give India a run for its money in the three-Test
series starting in Delhi tomorrow.
The flamboyant paceman said the hosts were the better outfit in the ODI rubber,
but Pakistan would make every effort to tame the home team in the longer form
of the game.
"Our bowlers and batsmen did not click as much as the Indians. India played
better cricket than us," the 'Rawalpindi Express' said in an exclusive
interview .
Akhtar said Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and
Misbah-ul-Haq would be the cornerstones of Pakistan batting in the upcoming
series.
"Even our captain (Shoaib Malik) got his form back in
the final ODI," he said.
The bowling also has a strong look to it, Akhtar felt.
"The return of pacer Mohammad Sami and spinner Danish
Kaneria is definitely going to strengthen our bowling attack in the Test matches,
not to forget myself," he stated.
The Indian team included some of the best players in the world,
but Akhtar believed it could be beaten.
"We will leave no stones unturned to win the Test series
and despite the fact that they (India) have the world class trio of Sachin
Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid and a bowler like
Anil Kumble, we will play to our potential." However, Akhtar said
he did not consider any specific batsman as his target in the coming series.
"For me, every Indian batsman is a target. I can't say
that I would be looking for wickets of Sachin and Sourav and would spare others.
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