Woolmer upbeat on Inzamam’s injury

LAHORE—Pakistan Coach Bob Woolmer is confident captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will recover quickly from a blow to the wrist to lead his side’s bid to bat England out of the third Test and the series.
Inzamam, who has been in superb form against Michael Vaughan’s side, was forced off the field late on day two when he was hit on the wrist by a rising delivery from Steve Harmison and was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays.
However, Woolmer was keen to talk up the captain’s chances of returning on Thursday (today).
“He is off to hospital to find out if there is any break but we are optimistic it is just a bruise,” he said.
“I’m sure he will come out fighting”.
Pakistan closed on 185 for four, 103 behind England’s first innings total, when bad light ended play but Harmison believed his late wicket had given the tourists a boost.
“I think the bowlers have to take some credit for the way they have performed. At 185 for four we are happy with the way we have bowled,” said the Durham paceman, who was delighted county team-mate Liam Plunkett claimed his maiden Test wicket on debut.
“I thought Liam bowled really well. He was a bit nervous before he went out to bat and even more twitchy before he bowled but I think he can go to bed tonight very proud of himself.
“I think we can force a win. If we can nip out a couple in the first hour tomorrow and get the tail in then we have got a sniff.
“With a bit of luck we can knock them over for less then what we have got”.
Woolmer agreed a positive result looked likely after the first two days.
“It looks like a result pitch, which is sort of compensated for by the fact we are stopping at 4.30 every day,” he told newsmen.
“I think it is going to be an interesting Test match. We would like to build a lead but England won’t want that and England will be fighting hard.
“We need Mohammed Yousuf (84 not out) to go on and on.
“I think we have the ingredients to bowl on this pitch. The seamers have proved difficult to play on here so if we can get it right and get a lead we have a good bowling attack”.—Agencies