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Pakistan's biggest test will be against India: Imran

November 06, 2003 17:56 IST

Legendary cricketer Imran Khan has praised Pakistan for its recent home series triumph over South Africa, but says the team's "real test" will come when it is up against India.

"I always thought Pakistan should beat South Africa at home because there are few teams that have beaten us in Pakistan," the former Pakistan skipper said.

"[But] the real test for the team will be playing outside Pakistan or playing against India, because they [the countries] have similar conditions," he added, saying he is awaiting an exciting series between the two subcontinental rivals in the wake of the go-ahead for resumption of bilateral cricketing ties.

"The Pakistan-India series will be an exciting one," the 1992 World Cup-winning captain, who is in Jeddah to perform Umrah, was quoted as saying in media reports in Islamabad.

The contrast in bowling and batting line-ups between the arch-rivals makes their game more interesting, the former speedster said.

"Pakistan's bowling is much better than India's but Indian batting looks better than Pakistan's.

"Pakistan's strength lies in its pace bowling, with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohamed Sami and new find Shabbir [Ahmed] shaping up well.

It's a good pace attack... so I feel it should be a good series," he said.

Imran said the induction of new players, like Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat, into the Pakistan team is a good sign.

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