Former Pakistan offie Saqlain Mushtaq says India can make
the English team bite dust in the upcoming Test series, if their bowlers back
the glittering batting line up.
"India has depth in its batting which just needs to be backed by the bowlers.
It is very easy to lose control in the English conditions where the ball does
a bit," said Saqlain, who knows English conditions well.
"Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and the others must stick
to a disciplined line and length and the batsmen will make mistakes," he
said.
Saqlain said India's experienced middle order gave them an
edge in the series starting from July 19 at the Lord's.
"It will be a very closely contested and close series
because both teams are balanced. But India definitely has that edge with their
experienced batting line-up," he said.
Saqlain, who last played for Pakistan against India in Multan
in 2004, warned England to expect a big performances from experienced players
Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.
"I have never seen him (Tendulkar) so hungry and eager
for success. He is spending a lot of time in the nets and also on his fitness.
Despite his age he's charged up for the series.
"And technically he remains a gifted batsman and fantastic
timer of the ball. I do not know why people are writing him off. Similar is
the attitude of Ganguly who looks determined to do well for his team,"
said Saqlain, who practised with Tendulkar in the nets.
Saqlain, who took 288 wicket in ODIs and 208 Test victims,
said he enjoyed many a captivating duel with the India but considered the series
in 1999 as his most memorable one in which he picked over 20 wickets in three
Tests.
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