KARACHI, Jan 26 Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Thursday described the National Stadium pitch lively for the third and deciding third Test starting from Sunday.

“Its typical Karachi pitch with fair amount of bounce and at later stage good for spinners,” he told media during a brief chat at NSK.

“Its nice square and pitches looked green. I am pleased to see the best square of the series three days prior to the Test match, Woolmer commented.

The pitch would be getting bit of routine trimming before being ready for the Test match.

He said weather disturbed the match in Lahore and Faisalabad pitch was too much in favour of batsmen.

Commenting on skipper Inzmamul Haq’s chances of playing the crucial third Test, he said “his chances of playing the third Test are 50/50.

Inzamam is working very hard on his fitness and we are crossing our fingers,” Woolmer added.

“If Inzamam failed fitness Test, Faisal Iqbal will be included in the team,” he remarked.

He said they will definitely missing allrounder Shoaib Malik, who he said was a fine cricketer.

Shoaib Malik will miss the third after passing away of his father in Sialkot.

In Shoaib Malik’s absence, it looked that left handed Imran Farhat or Kamran Akmal would be opening the innings with Salman Butt.

He, however, said speedster Shoaib Akhtar was in no real fitness problems and he was gearing up for third Test.

In the meantime majority of the players of Pakistan team rested in hotel but pacemen Muahmmad Sami, Rana Navedul Hasan, Muhammad Asif, opener Imran Farhat and Arshad Khan had a workout at the stadium.

Pakistan team will have a full training and net session at NSK on Friday at 2pm in build-up for the third Test.

—APP

Editorial

Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...
Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...