LAHORE, Dec 14: While asserting that Pakistan’s bowling department has enough strength to handle the opponent batsmen in the upcoming limited-overs series in India, head coach Dav Whatmore said on Friday his team would do all possible preparations for what is expected to be a demanding series.

“Our players have played a lot of T20 cricket in the recent past [in National T20 Cup] and they will also feature in 50-over matches in the training camp. This will enable these players to undergo maximum preparations before we leave for India,” Whatmore said while addressing a news conference here on the first day of the team’s training camp set up at the Gaddafi Stadium for the India tour starting from Dec 22.

The second session of the training camp at the stadium could not be held due to intermittent rain.

Pakistan are scheduled to play three One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches during the high-profile tour.

Whatmore while declaring master off-spinner Saeed Ajmal as his trumpcard said Pakistan had enough strength in their spin and pace bowling departments.

“Saeed has always remained my trump card, he is a wonderful bowler and a threat for the opposition,” the coach said. “The short tour of India is also a challenge for Saeed because the Indian batsmen generally play spinners relatively easily.

“We have good bowlers, both in spin and pace. Although, much depends on what conditions exist for a particular match, still I think we have enough depth in bowling as we have picked the best bowlers for the job,” he added.

Whatmore, a former Australian Test player, dispelled the impression that Pakistan and Indian cricketers only share traditional rivalry.

“I can tell you several players from both the sides give each other a lot of respect. We are aware of the pressure that exists because sadly some people give it [Pakistan-India cricket contests] a different dimension.”

It is noticeable that the limited-overs series in India will be Pakistan’s first international contest after a gap of almost three months whereas India have been featuring in international cricket almost constantly. However, Whatmore played down this discrepancy, saying it will not give any extra benefit to India in the coming series against Pakistan.

“In modern-day cricket this [scheduling] benefit can go to any side. Every country will have of course long or short gaps; for instance Australia have a big schedule ahead, we will also have; this time, it is the turn of India,” he expressed.

To a question whether Pakistan spinners like the England spinners would deliver in India, Whatmore said spinners’ role varied for different types of competitions.

“No doubt England are playing very good cricket against India, who are struggling in the [ongoing] fourth Test to square the series [2-2]. However, as regards spinners’ performance, I think we should look at it series-to-series as every series has specific requirements  and priorities [England playing Test series in India while Pakistan will be playing ODIs and T20s],” the coach underlined.

To a query that the team had no all-rounder for the ODI series against India, he said the national team management had the option to use paceman Anwar Ali if the situation demanded. “We have an option to include Anwar as he has already made some runs in domestic cricket [President’s Trophy].”

Meanwhile, responding to a question Whatmore expressed his delight over the appointment of former Test captain and prolific batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq as batting consultant for national team’s tour to South Africa (starting early next year).

The burly batsman, a veteran of 120 Tests, is also giving tips to youngsters in the ongoing training camp for the India series.

“Inzamam undoubtedly is a Pakistan stalwart and his appointment [as batting consultant] will certainly transfer his vast experience and knowledge of playing against Indian bowlers to our present batsmen,” Whatmore said.

About Indian key batsman Virat Kohli, who had become a challenge for the Pakistan bowlers in recent past, Whatmore said: “Some batsmen like certain opposition.
Kumar Sangakarra loves to play against Pakistan while [England Test captain] Alastair Cook often does well against India. So, we will try to do everything possible to counter everyone.”

He said it was a privilege for him that he was part of this Indo-Pak series. “For the last few years the two countries have been playing each other in the ICC or ACC events.
This is the first bilateral series taking place after a long time, and it is a privilege for me to be part of it. A good number of fans will be supporting their [Indian] team, while we will also have some support. So I am looking forward to a good series in India,” he said.