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Pakistan ponders top-order batting changes, India looks for spin options

Pakistan is pondering changes in its batting lineup and India is looking to expand its spin bowling attack in the second cricket test starting Wednesday at Calcutta's Eden Gardens.

Pakistan's top-order crumbled twice against a seam attack in last week's drawn test at Mohali, where India played with one spinner. That limited Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly's attacking options on the final day when the Pakistani lower order salvaged a draw.
Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq on Tuesday predicted two changes in his starting XI.

"We're looking at some adjustments in the batting order, probably change the opening combination. Also, one of our pace bowlers has a troublesome shoulder," said Inzamam, returning to the venue where Pakistan hasn't lost a test match against India in five encounters.

Pakistan won its last test match encounter here - the Asian test championship opener in 1999 - and also in the last limited-overs international in November.

"Our record at this venue is good and the team's confidence has been boosted by the way we fought back to force a draw last week," Inzamam told reporters.

Opener Salman Butt, who scored a century to set up the November win here, might be dropped to make way for attacking all-rounder Shahid Afridi, whose leg spin adds variation to the bowling attack.

Pace bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been struggling with a shoulder injury he picked up on the recent Australia tour and may be replaced by Mohammad Khalil.

Ganguly seemed to be missing ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh in Mohali, with Indian selectors omitting him in favor of three pace bowlers on a grassy pitch. The track eased after three days and the seam bowlers failed to extract bite on the final day.

India's coach, John Wright, has conceded that a lack of finish cost his team a victory.

"I agree that we should've won that test, but we're not lacking in killer instinct," said Ganguly. "Credit should be given where it is due ... Pakistan batsmen played very well on last day."

"The Mohali result has perked up the competition for remainder of the series."

Ganguly said expanding the spin attack by including off-spinner Singh was a consideration, but there was a lot of grass on the Calcutta pitch and the final XI would be picked only Wednesday.