Pakistan coach defends flat wicket accusations by AFP

---

Ground:	National Stadium, Karachi
Event:	India in Pakistan 2005/06

---

DateLine: 27th January 2006

 

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Thursday rubbished suggestions the hosts had deliberately prepared batsmen-friendly wickets to avoid losing the Test series to India.

 

With the first two Tests in Lahore and Faisalabad ending in high-scoring draws, the rivals have everything to play for in the third and final Test starting at the National stadium here on Sunday.

 

Indian batsman Virender Sehwag had said after the first Test that the hosts were not willing to risk a green top because India had won the last series on Pakistan soil two years ago.

 

Woolmer, the former England Test batsman, said his team could not be blamed for the wickets on offer in the series so far.

 

"Quite frankly, the instructions passed to the groundsmen were that we wanted good cricket pitches with bounce," Woolmer told AFP.

 

"Those were the instructions. We don't make the pitches, we don't roll them, but we were hoping that they will produce good wickets for us.

 

"We don't want bare pitches without any grass on it and that's what Lahore and Faisalabad pitches were. It was the combination of weather and over-use of the pitches in the middle of the season."

 

Woolmer said the National stadium pitch for the decisive Test had a fair amount of grass on it but was unsure how much of it would remain when the Test starts.

 

"There are still two days to go, the pitch will be rolled and the juice will be removed. I suspect they will cut it down to a normal Test pitch," he said.

 

"The bottom line I think is that we have a strong unit which played well in the recent home series against England and have been nullified against India by two flat pitches.

 

"No one knows what is going to happen, there is a lot of pent-up frustration around among the bowlers.

 

"Shoaib Akhtar's beamer to Mahendra Dhoni in Faisalabad was a sign of that frustration.

 

"A lot of bowlers will be demoralised by what has happened over the last two wickets."

 

Woolmer said his main concern was to put his best team on the field when the match starts on Sunday.

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq is nursing a back injury, pace spearhead Akhtar has a niggling ankle problem and Shoaib Malik was not considered for selection following the death of his father on Wednesday.

 

"Inzamam is better today, and is available for selection. But in the end he will have to make the decision. Shoaib's ankle is improving and not having Malik is a loss," said Woolmer.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)