Lawson hopes Pakistan will make it 1-1 here tomorrow

Mohali, Nov 7 (UNI) Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson today exuded confidence that his team will put up a better show here tomorrow to draw parity with India in the second tie of the five match series.

"We were bit flat in the first game" admitted Lawson and hoped that his players will come with improved display on this track which has a reputation of being fast and bouncy" He refused to go into the past, when told that Pakistan had lost two matches-both day and night affair-against South Africa and New Zealand here last year in the Champions trophy saying "tomorrow is a new match." The coach also did not agree that his team is having a problem of settled opening pair saying that "this pair is settling down.

The way Salman Butt batted at Guwahati, he is getting back into form, Kamran Akmal has few hundreds to his credit. He has also scored a hundred here against India." "I think we will be able to sort out the problems" said Lawson, who seemed to be under pressure to explain as to why Afridi is not being promoted as an opener.

Lawson also said that there are not going to be many changes in the final eleven which played in the first game but added that seamer "Sohail Tanveer is the front runner for selection in case there is going to be any change in the bowling department." He agreed that spinners Harbhajan Singh and Murli Kartik did pose problems for his side at Guwahati, "We will have to think about how to play them. But I think this pitch will not turn that much." Asked about the dew factor, Lawson said "We have to face it, it is going to be for both the teams but if it becomes acute then we may have a chat with the umpires to see if they agree to get the ball wiped every couple of overs." The coach was of the view that change of ball after 35 overs has made a lot of difference to the one day game whether it is a day or day-night Affair.

To a reported suggesstion by Mohd Yousuf that due to dew problem in the sub continent the day and night match should start at 11am and end by six o'clock, Lawson only said "Mohd Yousuf is a very wise man" He did not attach much importance to winning the toss saying "This topic on toss has been carried away for too long. In any case both the teams have to play." Lawson praised his players saying they are promising youngsters who have a long way to go and still have lot to learn.

The former Australian test player agreed that India-Pak series is bigger than Ashes and added "We are lucky to have such rivalry in sports." He lauded the captaincy of Shoaib Malik and said "the youngster is leading the side well. It is good to see that two youngster Malik and Dhoni leading the charge with confidence and competence." "Shoiab is still learning but I think he has a very bright future ahead and I think same is the case with Dhoni" UNI HSB RAR PK RK1905