DesiMD
12th February 2005, 02:43
"It's pace which can earn Pakistan a win in India, not spin. The world's best spinner, Shane Warne has been a failure in India," said Imran.
"India are very strong against spin, so we must depend on fast bowlers."
But Pakistan have concerns about the fitness and form of new ball pair Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami.
Shoaib and Sami were out-bowled by India's seamers in last year's home series, claiming seven wickets each in the three Tests, compared to 12 each for Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji.
And Pakistan's options are limited by injuries to Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed, which mean Naved-ul-Hasan is the likely candidate to operate as first change.
Imran's cousin Majid Khan, who also captained the national side and later became chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, rates India as clear favourites.
"For the last four years, we have not been able to prepare a team that can consistently win matches," he said.
"India has proven match-winners and when I say this, I mean they have bowlers who can take 20 wickets in a match and batsmen who can play long innings twice in a match."
He added: "I agree that Pakistan will not face as hostile bowling in India as it faced in Australia, but the bottom line is that our top four batsmen failed throughout the tour which is not good news."
"India are very strong against spin, so we must depend on fast bowlers."
But Pakistan have concerns about the fitness and form of new ball pair Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami.
Shoaib and Sami were out-bowled by India's seamers in last year's home series, claiming seven wickets each in the three Tests, compared to 12 each for Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji.
And Pakistan's options are limited by injuries to Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed, which mean Naved-ul-Hasan is the likely candidate to operate as first change.
Imran's cousin Majid Khan, who also captained the national side and later became chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, rates India as clear favourites.
"For the last four years, we have not been able to prepare a team that can consistently win matches," he said.
"India has proven match-winners and when I say this, I mean they have bowlers who can take 20 wickets in a match and batsmen who can play long innings twice in a match."
He added: "I agree that Pakistan will not face as hostile bowling in India as it faced in Australia, but the bottom line is that our top four batsmen failed throughout the tour which is not good news."