Moin hopes to return

Moin Khan has revealed his hopes of returning to the Pakistan side after regaining full fitness. Moin last played a Test in 2004 against Sri Lanka.

"I am making all these untiring efforts to represent my country again," said Moin after scoring a century for Pakistan International Airlines. "There has been nothing wrong with my performance as a wicketkeeper and a batsman during the current season. I am doing quite well and deserve to play again in the national team."

A veteran of 69 Tests, Khan has scored 2741 runs at 28.55 and taken 128 catches besides 20 stumpings. He reckons that the forthcoming series with India will be challenging. "As I think both the teams' chances would be even during the series and the team which plays better will win." He added that if Pakistan's batting clicked, it would give them an edge over the Indians.

Khan disagreed with the recent statements made by Sarfraz Nawaz, the former Test cricketer, suggesting that India's spinners would whitewash Pakistan in the Test series. "Only Anil Kumble in the Indian team has more than 300 wickets while the rest of the bowlers are no more than average - like Harbhajan Singh and the other spinners haven't got more than 100 to 150 wickets to their credit."

He remarked that Danish Kaneria and Arshad Khan, who played well in the domestic first-class cricket, could play a vital role in the series. "I know the Indian batsman play the spinners with considerable ease but so could our batsmen."