Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said on Wednesday that his team's 2-0 victory over England in the recent Test series had set up the prospects of an interesting contest against India who visit the country early next year.
"Our victory sets up the prospects of one hell of a series [against India] because the pundits had more or less written us off for the series against England.
"But the team proved the critics wrong and instead earned praise and appreciation for a thoroughly professional performance that has to be attributed to a combined team effort," Akhtar, who ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 scalps, said.
Pakistan took the first Test in Multan by 22 runs after conceding a first innings lead of 144 and then wrapped up the series at Lahore where they won by an innings and 100 runs.
India tour Pakistan to play three Tests and five one-day internationals between January 6 and February 20.
Akhtar said the England series has provided an excellent opportunity to Pakistan to assess their preparations for the series against India.
"Our series win over England proves that we are heading in the right direction as far as preparations for the Indian series is concerned.
"In 2004, we were a much younger and inexperienced side and consequently lost to India but now we are more experienced, mature and combined outfit," the fast bowler said.
"In the series against England, we also proved that we have more than one match-winner in Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Danish Kaneria, Salman Butt, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shahid Afridi," Akhtar said.
The speedster credited the transformation to captain Inzamam, with whom he has not always seen eye to eye in the past after the skipper questioned the commitment and approach of the maverick fast bowler.
"I think the entire credit for this transformation goes to skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq who has not only established himself as a great leader but a huge motivator who inspired the team with his performance.
"As far as I am concerned, Inzamam was the major difference in the series against England," Akhtar said of his captain who aggregated 431 runs with two centuries and three half-centuries.
"I am enjoying my bowling as much as I am enjoying the company of Inzamam," he said.
Asked if Pakistan's victory over England makes them the second best team in the world after Australia, Akhtar said he did not attach much importance to rankings.
"To me, rankings don't matter at all. When you are playing for your country, ranking doesn't count. The only thing that matters is your commitment and hunger to deliver the goods for the nation and the team."
Akhtar observed that praying five times a day had united the team.
"The difference between this team and ones I have played in the past is of Namaz [prayers].
"The boys have started backing each other, their tolerance level has increased and they are always there when someone needs them to lift their dampened spirits," he said with reference to Shabbir Ahmed, who was omitted after the Multan Test because of a suspect bowling action, Shahid Afridi, who was banned for three games for tampering with the pitch, and Younis Khan, whose elder brother died on the eve of the Lahore Test.
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