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 You are in: Special Events: 2001: England v Pakistan 
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 Sunday, 27 May, 2001, 13:14 GMT 14:14 UK
Weak opposition hinders Pakistan
Pakistan celebrate Waqar's triple strike at Grace Road against Leicestershire
Waqar took wickets but no satisfaction at Grace Road
Pakistan's preparations for the Test matches against England have been hampered by having to play weak opposition, according to Waqar Younis.

The tourists captain has seen his side brush aside an understrength Leicestershire side within two days as they seek match practice ahead of the Old Trafford Test.

"It's highly disappointing but we have to go with the flow," said Waqar.

"We are short of practice just because of sub-standard opposition."

Pakistan lost the first test at Lord's by an innings and nine runs inside three days.

Both the bowlers and batsmen looked underprepared but a two-day stroll against Leicestershire has hardly helped.

The match only served to highlight the gulf in class between playing Tests and county opposition.

None of their previous warm-up matches - against British Universities, Derbyshire and Kent - have fully tested Pakistan, with the counties choosing to rest key players.

The universities match ended in two days while Pakistan batted just once against Kent and faced only 20 overs of their second innings against Derbyshire before being thrashed in the first Test.

"Nobody got to bowl or bat properly," Waqar said of the Leicestershire game.

Pakistan coach Richard Pybus was more positive.

"It was disappointing that it was over in two days but the spinners got a good work-out, even if it was not against the strongest opposition," he said.

"I talked to the Leicestershire players, they've played a lot of cricket and have a lot of injuries. It's unfortunate. I feel for them. The amount they play is ridiculous."


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See also:

25 May 01 | NatWest Series
25 May 01 | Corruption in Cricket
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