JAIPUR, March 21: Pakistan will certainly miss off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, slapped a one-match suspension for dissent, but has enough firepower to beat India in their Pepsi Cup One-Day Cricket Series League tie here on March 24, coach Javed Miandad said today.``Saqlain is a fine bowler and unfortunately he has been penalised and will miss the tie against India. But the team is full of confidence and has enough resources, so there is no need to worry,'' Miandad said on the team reaching Jaipur.Saqlain was penalised by match referee Cammie Smith for his action in the opening tie against Sri Lanka at Jamshedpur on March 19, when he suggested to the square leg umpire that he should have referred to the third umpire before skipper Wasim Akram was ruled run out.
The young off-spinner was in tremendous form during the Test series against India and the inaugural match of the Asian Test Championship. He bagged 20 wickets in the two-Test series in India.
The Pakistan team, after beating Sri Lanka at Jamshedpur,reached here this afternoon to a traditional Rajasthani style welcome. They were received by former Indian Board president and present Rajasthan association chief, PM Rungta, at the airport amidst very tight security.
Pakistan captain Wasim Akram refused to talk to reporters saying he will give his comments on the eve of the match. But Miandad said his team will have nets in the evening.
The coach said all members of the team were fit and confident after the victory in the first match.Members of the Pakistan team have expressed their desire to visit Ajmer to offer prayers at the Dargah of Sufi Saint Kwaja Moinuddin Chisti. But the trip is yet to be finalised.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.