Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 279 Thu. March 10, 2005  
   
Sports


'Indian seamers' show inspires us'


Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer Wednesday took heart from the Indian seamers' performance on a grassy track in the first Test here, saying his side also had fast bowlers to exploit the conditions.

"Of course, I take heart from Indian seamers' performance," said Woolmer.

"They exploited the helpful conditions and we too have three good seamers in Mohammad Sami, Navedul Hasan and Abdul Razzaq."

India's pace trio of Laxmipathy Balaji (5-76), Irfan Pathan (2-68) and Zaheer Khan (1-70) helped their team bowl Pakistan out for 312 on the first day here on Tuesday.

Rain washed out the first two sessions on the second day on Wednesday.

The 56-year-old Woolmer, who played 19 Tests for England in the 1970s and then coached South Africa between 1994-99, said his team had batted well to recover from early setbacks.

"It was a nice recovery from a precarious position, but I'm still disappointed that we did not score 400 or more," he said.

Pakistan were tottering at 30-2 and then 191-6 after being sent in by India, but left-hander Asim Kamal (91) and captain Inzamamul Haq (57) came to their team's rescue with impressive knocks.

Woolmer described the pitch as "interesting."

"It's very difficult to judge the wicket until both sides bat on it, but it's an interesting pitch. If the conditions remain the same it will continue to help seamers, but may also take turn," he said.

Woolmer, who was born in Kanpur, India in 1948, described the experience of touring India as "incredible."

"It's incredible to have come to your place of birth," he said. "It's a good feeling. It's also different coaching here because there are a lot of expectations. Everyone loves cricket here, speculate on it, so it's an experience.