Hussain downplays vulnerability to spinners
England captain Nasser Hussain downplayed his team's failure against spinners in the second cricket one-dayer versus Pakistan in Lahore on Friday, saying it was no "great story".
"I know it's a great story for you guys that we got bowled out by spinners but it's not a mystery for me, for me it's no great story," Hussain told reporters after the match.
England lost to Pakistan by eight wickets with spinners taking all eight in England's 211-9.
"When you come to Asia you come face-to-face with spinners, you play Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed and in India you play Anil Kumble and in Sri Lanka its Mutthiah Muralitharan," he said.
England is touring Pakistan after 13 years and face quality spinners on turning strips. They will play a three-match Test series after the limited over matches.
"I don't know about Tests but we knew when we came here that we will have to play on turning wickets," Hussain said.
"We have been working hard on spinners in the net and we must learn quickly. I don't blame the boys."
Leg-spinning allrounder Shahid Afridi took a career best 5-40 with off-spinner Saqlain and Mushtaq taking two and one wickets respectively.
"We set us 250 to score and that's what looked in sight when we were 180 with 10 overs to go but we didn't play well in the end," Hussain said.
"Once we fell for 211 most of the pressure was off Pakistan and had we got 250 we would have had them, because they are not a good side chasing," he said.
Pakistani skipper Moin Khan was delighted over his team's comeback.
"I am delighted that the boys did well and its now 1-1 and we must concentrate on the decider," to be played at Rawalpindi on Monday, Khan said.
Khan praised allrounder Shahid Afridi for his dual part.
"Any captain in the world would love to have him in the side," he said.
Khan said it was too early to say if Pakistan would dominate with spinners in the Test series.
"We have not decided as yet but, yes, we have quality spinners and why not win through them," he said.
The Test series commences in Lahore from November 15.
Mail Cricket Editor
