NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik claimed on Wednesday that despite possessing a better spin attack, India did not have any edge over their rivals. Speaking on the eve on the first Test, Malik, in an act of defiance, told a press conference that both teams had equal chances of winning the three-Test series.

“Definitely in my view, no team can claim to have an edge in the seies. If India’s strength is based around spinners [Anil Kumble and the recalled Harbhajan Singh], then I can safely state here that our strength lies with the fast bowlers,” Malik said. “Obviously we have in Shoaib Akhtar a bowler who is a certain match-winner and the others are good enough to follow Shoaib’s example.”

Malik also disagreed that the fast bowlers would struggle on the pitches tailor made for spinners. “If we look back at the Test matches played in India, I think our pacemen have done extremely well in these conditions,” he said. “And why forget that we have Danish Kaneria to take advantage of the situation. He has a vital role to play in this series.”

The Pakistan skipper, however, admitted that India had a solid batting line-up and his team had to plan a well thought-out strategy to get them out cheaply. “India’s batting is pretty strong, but we’ll be coming hard at them to get them out early since we have the bowlers to do the job. Our morale is high although we lost the one-day series.”

The Sialkot all-rounder said victory in the last ODI had lifted the spirits in the Pakistan camp. “Winning the last game has lifted the team morale. The boys are very keen and focussed for the coming Tests. All the players are confident and want to do well and we have a nice blend of experience and youth in the side,” the skipper added.

Malik, surprisingly, was the only one to speak to the media shortly after the series trophy was unveiled at the team hotel late Wednesday afternoon.

According to the details provided to the media earlier on Tuesday, both captains were scheduled to address the media at the hotel. But Malik’s opposite number, Anil Kumble held his maiden official pre-Test media conference at the Ferozshah Kotla Ground earlier in the day.

The veteran spinner hoped for a good start to the Test series at one of his favourite venues. “Personally speaking, Delhi has been very nice for me and also for India. I just hope it continues that way. We want a good beginning, especially against Pakistan.”The Indian captain said India still had a good bowling attack despite injuries to two key bowlers. “Obviously, injuries are part and parcel of the game, and if someone of the quality of R.P. Singh or Sreesanth misses out than we still have bowlers like Munaf Patel as back up. He has done quite well in the past and it’s good to have him here. In addition we have included Ishant Sharma in the squad.

Kumble said it was tough for him and the think-tank to leave out Yuvraj Singh, who was the Man-of-the-Series in the one-dayers. “It’s tough on Yuvraj to be left out for the Test. In the current phase, he will have to probably wait a little bit longer to become a regular member in the Test side.

“At the end of the day, it’s unfortunate but that’s the way thing work. Yuvraj is a fine player and I’m sure our team’s batting will revolve around him very soon,” he predicted.

Kumble pointed out that Danish Kaneria is still a chief weapon for Pakistan. “He is a very important part of the Pakistan team. Danish has done well over the years, but I hope he doesn’t do well over the next three Tests! He is someone we need to look out for.”