Odds against Pak in India series

One can expect the visitors to field a full strength team when they take on Board President's XI in their three-day tour opener on Thursday in Dharamshala.

Odds are stacked against Pakistan as they try to prove wrong their underdog status on their first full-fledged tour of India in six years, which kicks off with a three-day warm up match against the Board President's XI on Wednesday.

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It is as if even nature is conspiring against Inzamam-ul-Haq's men who have been faced with a variety of hurdles even before a ball has been bowled in the three-Test and six-ODI series.

First they were hit with the withdrawal of their premier strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar due to injury. And what welcomed them on Tuesday at this picturesque hill resort of Dharamshala was unexpected rains, which meant their first practice session on the 50-day tour was washed out.

There had been obstacles of the non-cricketing kind too.

There was the argument over Ahmedabad as a venue, which threatened to flare up into a political controversy.

But Pakistan, who proved to be exemplary hosts when India visited them last year, are fast turning out to be equally magnanimous as visitors too. The extent to which they had gone to concede the BCCI's demands is a testimony.

It was clear from team manager Salim Altaf's statement on Tuesday that the team had as much reservation over playing the only practice match of the series at a far off place as they had for Ahmedabad as a venue, although for a totally different reason.

The HPCA stadium, located as it is at 1,300 feet above sea level and overlooked by the majestic Dhauladhar mountain ranges, has been vulnerable to inclement weather of the Himalayas.

Last week, the ground was painted white, thanks to the avalanche. And the speed with which the snowflakes were cleared was matched by clear sky that had brought cheers to the locals two days ago before giving way to rains.

Besides, access to the venue which is not connected by rail route has been a major concern, as stressed by the Pakistan team manager.

"We have played in Johannesburg, so altitude is not an issue here. But as far as logisitics are concerned, there is some concern for us," said Altaf, who is also the PCB director of operations.

Luckily for Pakistan, another potential political bomb was defused when Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama refused to accept the invitation to inaugurate the match.

As if to extend an olive branch, Altaf invited Dalai Lama to witness the match.