Woolmer praises determination

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer praised his players after their series win © Getty Images

Bob Woolmer had generous praise for his Pakistan team after they beat India in a Test series for the first time in 19 years.

After two high-scoring draws, Pakistan were comfortable winners in the third Test in Karachi to claim a 1-0 series victory.

Woolmer singled out Mohammad Asif, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal for credit but insisted it was the team performance that mattered most in the Karachi win.

“I thought Razzaq was fantastic,” he said. “We were criticised for actually playing him but we had to play him for his batting as Inzamam-ul-Haq was unavailable.

Abdul Razzaq earned huge praise

“He made 90 and got five wickets on Wednesday, and 45 important runs with Akmal on the first day.

“Without Akmal’s knock we may not have even won. At 39 for six we could have been rolled over for 80 or 90. We would have been looking at defeat. He was rightly the man-of-the-match. He is one for the future.”

There were seven wickets in the match for Asif, another up-and-coming prospect for Pakistan, and Woolmer was highly impressed by his young charge.

“I am not sure how you play that one that comes back in,” he added. “He has really shown that he can step up into this level.

“But all-in-all it was a really good team performance.”

Younis Khan has shone in the absence of Inzamam-ul-Haq

The absence of Inzamam meant that Younis was installed as captain for the third Test and Woolmer was delighted with the way the 28-year-old handled the task.

“He is a very effervescent kind of captain,” he said. “We have two different captains.

“One is sort of laid back and calm (Inzamam), and the other (Younis) is up with the bowlers patting them on the back, running around and setting innovative field setting. It’s good to have that kind of combination.”

Shoaib Akhtar also praised Younis and is relishing his time with the Pakistan squad right now.

“I think the best part of this team is being part of each other, being there for each other when we need it,” said the fast bowler.

“Credit goes to the captain, he led the team very well and we look forward to playing together.

“I think it is the best atmosphere I have ever seen in my 10 years of cricket.”