Wasim and Waqar to power Pakistan against Zimbabwe

Pakistan won the three match one-day series 2-1 against Zimbabwe earlier in the week after having lost a three-match Test series 1-0 to Australia last month.

Younis, 27, was out of action for six months after injuring his bowling arm elbow during the 1998 English county season. But he came back to bowl with venom in the final one-day match against the tourists in Rawalpindi.

``Its nice to have Waqar back with me and you feel like pumped up when you have such a good bowler at the other end,'' Akram said.

Akram struggled in the series against Australia when Pakistan failed to find a suitable partner for him.

Pakistan are likely to play three seamers and one spinner. Aaqib Javed was recalled after fast bowler Shoaib Akhter was forced out by a high fever.

``The wicket will definitely help the seamers and why not, our strength is our fast bowlers,'' said former Pakistan batsman Hanif Mohammad, adviser on pitches for the series.

However, a clearly upset Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail was clueless about the pitch.

``I can't say anything about the wicket because once the ground authorities will give us the pitch, only then we will know which pitch we are going to play on,'' Sohail said.

The skipper is reportedly upset over the choice of wickets during the series against Australia and recent abrupt changes in selection. ``I don't even know about the team. For that you ask the selectors,'' he said.

The Zimbabweans are in high spirits.

``We have been playing decent cricket and I hope that we will keep the upward curve,'' captain Alistair Campbell said.

Zimbabwe won their last Test against India by 61 runs at Harara last month but are not expecting too much here.

``The wicket looks a bit under-prepared and it will be a low-scoring match but with a lot of action,'' said Campbell. ``Pakistan are one of the best sides in the world and in their backyard they are too difficult.''

The visitors are still awaiting replacements for Eddo Brandes and Craig Evans, who left after playing the one-day series.

Of the 10 Tests between the two countries, Pakistan have won six and Zimbabwe one.

Teams:

Pakistan (from): Aamir Sohail (captain), Saeed Anwar, Salim Elahi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ejaz Ahmed, Yousuf Yohanna, Hasan Raza, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Aaqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlan Mushtaq and Waqar Younis.

Zimbabwe (from): Alistair Campbell (captain), Craig Wishart, Grant Flower, Neil Johnson, Andy Flower, Murray Goodwin, Gavin Rennie, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, Henry Olonga, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Adam Huckle and Andrew Whittal.

Umpires: George Sharp (England) and Athar Zaidi (Pakistan)
ICC Match Referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies)