Pakistan spearhead Sami raring to go on grassy Mohali pitch by AFP

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Ground:	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
Player:	Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Naved-ul-Hasan
Event:	Pakistan in India 2004/05

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DateLine: 7th March 2005

 

Pakistan's Mohammad Sami says he is relishing bowling in the first Test against India on a seaming pitch - conditions he believes will help him atone for last year's series loss.

 

"The pitch has grass on it and it seems to have more for fast bowlers than we have expected," the 24-year-old strike bowler said before Tuesday's Test.

 

Sami is expected to play a major role in the absence of his new-ball partner Shoaib Akhtar, who is suffering from a hamstring injury and only expected to return for the third and final Test of the series.

 

"Your partner's absence does make a big difference but I'd like to overcome that and look for early wickets," said Sami, who like Akhtar has breached the 100-mile-per-hour barrier.

 

"At the back of the mind there is a realisation that I did not do well against India when we lost at home. So I want to atone for that," said Sami, who managed just seven wickets in three Tests last year.

 

Sami said he believed he would do better in this year's series because the type of balls used in India, made by local company Sanspareil Greenlands (SG), appeared to seam more.

 

"This looks a slightly different ball as far as the seam is concerned, so hopefully it will move more," he said.

 

Pakistan are likely to give Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq the remaining two fast bowling slots, with Danish Kaneria being the lone spinner.

 

"Rana has been bowling well and we supplement each other. I know my role has become more vital and my responsibility has increased," said Sami, whose tally of 48 wickets in 18 Tests is regarded below his potential.

 

Since taking a match-winning eight-wicket haul in his debut Test against New Zealand at Auckland four years ago, Sami has been plagued by poor form and fitness problems.

 

He had to return home after playing the first two of three Tests in Australia last year due to heel and back problems.

 

But Pakistan's English coach Bob Woolmer backed Sami, saying he was due for some luck.

 

"I don't agree that Sami has performed below his potential. He has come close to getting wickets on numerous occasions and is now due for some luck. May be it's his time," said Woolmer.

 

Inzamam agreed Sami was capable of delivering the goods.

 

"I think in Akhtar's absence India has taken a chance of keeping some grass on the pitch and if it remains there on Tuesday morning I see Sami taking vital wickets for us," said the Pakistan captain.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)