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Akram criticises Aussie tour itinerary

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has criticised the itinerary for the early part of their tour of Australia because it has not allowed his side enough time to prepare for the three-Test series.

Akram's team played two one-day games in Perth earlier this week and have only one first-class match -- against Queensland starting here tomorrow -- before the opening Test against Australia begins next Friday.

''The Australian Cricket Board should think, 'Let's give them a fair chance, give them two games and let them settle into the different climate','' Akram was quoted as saying in newspapers today.

''Since we played Sri Lanka (in a Test last March), we've played the World Cup (in England) and one-day games in Canada and Sharjah.

''Nobody asked me from the Pakistan board about the itinerary. I go tour by tour and when I arrived here I was shocked.''

However, Akram said he had faith in his squad, and would probably field a Test-strength side against Queensland. ''Our Test players need to be playing this weekend,'' he said.

On the composition of his likely Test 12, he said: ''We have a well balanced attack but one thing is for sure, I'm going to go with five bowlers and five batsmen and two all-rounders.''

Akram is set for his first appearance of the tour in the match against Queensland while wicketkeeper-batsman Moin Khan, who missed the second limited overs game in Perth because of illness, is expected to return.

UNI