'India most improved team in world cricket'

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has described India as the most improved team in international cricket and the one most likely to replace Australia at the top of the pedestal.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has described India as the most improved team in international cricket and the one most likely to replace Australia at the top of the pedestal.

HT Image

Intikhab said India's success over Australia was basically because they had the bowlers to exploit all sorts of conditions.

"Zaheer Khan is reverse swinging the ball very well and Ishant Sharma is a top grade pacer. They also have to quality spinners which Australia is missing now," he said.

The former Test captain said Australia were desperately missing the services of top players like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.

"I don't think they have found able replacements and they don't have the spinners to now challenge teams in the sub-continent. To be world champions you have to win in the Asian region," he noted.

He said Australia had prevailed in the past over all teams because they had a world class spinner in Shane Warne.

Intikhab said India had improved immensely in recent times and they would prove to be tough opponents when they tour Pakistan early next year.

"It is going to be one hell of a series because presently I fancy we could also have beaten Australia," he said.

He revealed that opener Nasir Jamshed, who recently recovered from a bout of malaria, has been declared fit for the Abu Dhabi ODI series against the West Indies.