Pakistan need spin for World Cup success, says Qadir

KARACHI, Mar 9 (Reuters) Spinner Danish Kaneria will have to be at the top of his game if Pakistan are to make an impression at the World Cup, said former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir.

Pakistan open their World Cup account against the West Indies on March 13 with Kaneria as their only specialist spinner and Qadir believes selectors and management have erred by failing to include left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman in the squad.

Pakistan's bowling attack has also been shorn of pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif due to injury.

''The pitches in the Caribbean will definitely help the spinners but at the end of the day it will depend on how well Kaneria bowls,'' said Qadir, who took 236 test and 132 one-day wickets.

''This World Cup will be a real test for all spinners and in the end no matter what the pitches do it will be the quality spinners who will shine through,'' he said.

Qadir was critical of the selectors for not including Rehman.

''Pakistan has gone into the World Cup without a plan. If they wanted Kaneria he should have played in the South Africa one-dayers.'' Kaneria, who has taken 198 test wickets, has played in only 16 one-dayers and was omitted for last month's one-day series in South Africa.

REUTERS SAM DS1530