Misbah looks to spinners for Sri Lanka tour

LAHORE, July 26 (AFP): Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said Friday spin would be a key factor in his side's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka as he looked to Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman to beat the islanders.

The last time the two teams met was in January at the neutral venue of Dubai with Pakistan edging the one-dayers 3-2 but tying the Tests one apiece.

Pakistan fly out to Sri Lanka on August 2 and start the first Test at Galle four days later. "In Sri Lanka spin plays an important role, the moment third, fourth and fifth day arrives spin has a major role, I think we have lots of chances and if we play to our potential we have lots of chances to win," Haq said. Pakistan's last tour of the island nation finished in a 1-0 defeat in two Tests and 3-1 in five one-day matches, with one match rained off.

Batting has been Pakistan's major worry over the past few years especially after the retirement of greats Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf. But Haq, who has won 12 of the 27 Tests he has captained, said he was more confident than in the past thanks to the appointment of new batting coach Grant Flower of Zimbabwe.