Waugh uncertain about new Pakistani faces

COLOMBO - Steve Waugh is not entirely sure whether he will know some of the players who turn out for Pakistan in the first cricket Test starting here on Thursday.

Pakistan has been hit by withdrawals and injuries to senior players while others have been dumped, meaning a bevy of young and unproven Pakistanis will take on the world champion in the first of three Tests at neutral venues.

"I'm not even sure who's in their team to tell you the truth," Waugh said.

"The young Pakistani players have got a lot of talent and I'm sure they'll pull out someone who does very well at Test cricket without us even knowing about them.

"With other countries you know what you're going to get but with Pakistan, half the time they don't even know what they've got."

The changes include openers Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar, middle order batsmen Hasan Raza and Faisal Iqbal, leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and fast bowler Mohammad Zahid, who have all played for Pakistan in Tests or one-day internationals.

Those six have played only 28 Tests between them. Uncapped allrounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan also makes the squad.

Waugh said the injuries to middle-order batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana were a big blow.

"Inzamam's a big loss, particularly on the flat, low Sharjah wickets where he likes to dominate.

"And Youhana's probably one of their better batters as well so that leaves a big hole in their batting."

Waugh said Australia's line-up had not been discussed but said the pitch conditions would dictate whether young Queenslander Nathan Hauritz played his first Test.

"I think you'd have to consider two spinners if the wicket's like it was for the (Champions Trophy) semifinal the other night, you'd be silly not to look at it - but the word is the Test wicket will have a bit of grass on it."