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AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
PESHAWAR, OCT 14: Australia go into the second Test against Pakistan here tomorrow looking to pull off a historic series triumph and hold a major psychological edge in their battle.
Australia easily won the first Test in Rawalpindi by an innings and 99-runs, Pakistan have been hit by injuries and many players have their minds on an embarrassing match fixing inquiry.
No Australian side has won a Test series in Pakistan since Richie Benaud's team won 2-0 here in 1959-60. But Mark Taylor's team is confident.
``It is one of the biggest challenges but we are prepared for that. It will be great to win a series in the sub-continent,'' said the Australian skipper.
Taylor said Australia's tour to India earlier this year, where they lost the 2-1, had been an important rehearsal for visiting Pakistan.
``It's a big advantage to be 1-0 up but we will do the same things all over again,'' Taylor said.
Left hand batsman Darren Lehmann will have to sit out the match with a groin injury, having scored 98 in thefirst Test and followed it with centuries in each innings in the tour game against Rawalpindi.
The pitch at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar has not been used this season so could be an unknown factor.
But Taylor said: ``It looks hard and reminds me of a good Sydney wicket. I would have loved to play Lehmann here.
The tourists have left out off-spinner Gavin Robertson and with Lehmann ruled out they have 12 players to decide from. Tasmanian Ricky Ponting will replace Lehmann.
Both teams are likely to play three seamers and one spinner.
The home team are countering off-field problems caused by accusations of attempted match fixing and injuries to three key players.
Pace bowler Wasim Akram is down with a sore throat and flu while leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is struggling with a knee problem.
To add to Pakistan's woes, paceman Shoaib Akhter twisted his ankle during net practice today.
Mohammad Naveed, who took a century off the Australians in Rawalpindi, and left arm spinner Shakil Ahmed, whotook 10 wickets in the match, have been added to the Pakistan squad.
Pakistan coach Javed Miandad and captain Aamir Sohail gave no clue about the team to be announced for the Test.
Local boy Arshad Khan who bowls off-spin and one-day specialist Shahid Afridi who bowls fast leg-spin are in the squad of 16 and one may get the spinner's place.
``We have learnt from our mistakes in the first Test and will do our best to come back with a win here,'' Sohail said.
Pakistan have won both the Tests played here by an innings. They beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in 1995-96 and the West Indies by an innings and nine runs in the last season.
``That may be an advantage but here we have the Australians who are one of the best sides in the world, it all depends on the start you get,'' a pensive Sohail said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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