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Inzy unfazed by poor preparation
Pakistan captain remained confident ahead of the first Test with India despite seeing his team's only warm-up match washed out by rain.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq remained confident on Sunday ahead of the first Test with India despite seeing his team's only warm-up match washed out by rain.
Bad weather continually disrupted the three-day match against a Board President's XI in Dharamshala, which was eventually abandoned with less than an innings played.
"It would have been nice had we got a full match because every team needs practice before a Test, but I am confident it won't affect us much as our boys are coming after playing first-class cricket back home," Inzamam told AFP ahead of Tuesday's Test.
"True, the match atmosphere is different and we would have liked more batting and bowling practice, but I am sure the boys will get in the right groove for the Test."
Pakistan batted just once in the three-day game, scoring 273. But their bowling preparations were severely affected as they sent down only 34 overs.
Inzamam said his batsmen still had a chance to give a good account of themselves but failed to cash in on it.
"We should have made 400 or 500 because you need to score big in practice matches and I hope my batsmen will show more responsibility in the Test series," he said.
The Pakistani captain pinned his hopes on his openers, saying his team needed a solid start to boost their chances of posting a big total.
"We didn't get a good start (in the practice game) and that put more pressure on the middle-order. Aseem Kamal, Abdul Razzaq and myself had good outings in the middle but I still expected more."
