India will have an edge over Pakistan in the ODI series because it has more experienced players who can deal with pressure cooker situations.
NEW DELHI: India will have an edge over Pakistan in the One-Day International series because it has more experienced players who can deal with pressure cooker situations, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said here Saturday.
"It's going to be an exciting ODI series. But India has more experienced players than Pakistan. Initial matches will be crucial in the final outcome of the series," the recently retired Inzamam said.
"The team that handles the pressure better in this series will do well," said the master batsman who led the team to a remarkable 4-2 ODI win in India in 2005 and drew the Test series 1-1.
Inzamam, however, pointed out that no team could be called 'weak' in today's cricket.
"You saw in the Twenty20 World Championship recently both India and Pakistan had new captains and young players. But they beat all the big teams (on way to the final)," he said, referring to the competition in which India defeated Pakistan to emerge winners.
"This time Pakistan does not have much experience. They will miss the experience," emphasised Inzamam, who is here as an expert for the India-Pakistan series.
He said Pakistan would also miss fast bowler Mohammed Asif, who has been ruled out of the five-match ODI series with an injury.
"Pakistan will definitely miss him. But I think other bowlers will make up for his absence," Inzamam felt.
He pointed out that if fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar plays up to his potential he could make a big difference. "He is a good bowler," he said.
Inzamam said that lately the pressure in India-Pakistan series has lessened.
"The pressure is now less on players. When you play frequently the pressure becomes less. A gap of 15 years should not happen again," he said, referring to India's Test tour of Pakistan in 2004.
It was the first time that an Indian team played a full-fledged series in Pakistan after 15 years.
Inzamam lauded the positive thinking of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Whatever I have seen of his captaincy I have seen he takes positive decisions. He takes chances in difficult times and backs his decisions. It's an indication of a good captain," he said.
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