Inzamam happy with squad

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has expressed his satisfaction with the 16-man squad Pakistan selectors announced over the weekend to take on England in the first two Tests of their series.

Inzamam confirmed to reporters after practice at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore that all decisions had been taken with his consent and that of Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach. In particular, he said he was happy with the balance of the bowling attack in the squad.

Pakistan's decision to pick five spinners - of which three are specialist ones - has attracted attention and increased speculation that they will tackle the tourists with spin, a strategy that rebounded on them the last time England visited in 2000-01. But Inzamam insisted this wasn't necessarily the case, arguing that of the five, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi weren't considered spinners but all-rounders.

"We have good spinners for spin wickets and fast bowlers for fast tracks so Pakistan is strong in the bowling department." The three specialist spinners are Mushtaq Ahmad, Danish Kaneria and Arshad Khan.

Inzamam, played down fears that Pakistan were preparing to take on arguably the best attack in the world with an undercooked top order. Referring to the selection of only one specialist opener in the squad and the likely promotion of Shoaib Malik to opening duties, Inzamam said, "Malik is a dependable batsman and he also proved it in the four-day trial match (he scored 177 in the first innings against a Rest of Pakistan side) and against Australia A."

England have announced, meanwhile, that Andrew Strauss, the opener who has played such a pivotal role in England's recent successes, is likely to miss the final Test against Pakistan to be with his wife who is expecting their first child.

"Strauss has asked for permission to miss the final Test which the team management has granted him but it may be reviewed after his wife's reports from England," an England spokesman told AFP.

The couple are expecting their child in the last week of next month, a few days before the third Test starts in Lahore from November 29.