Too many cooks in Pakistan kitchen?

By Oliver Brett
BBC Sport

IMRAN KHAN FACTFILE Born: 25.11.1952 Test debut: 1971 v England in Birmingham Career highlight: Winning 1992 World Cup as Pakistan captain

Pakistan intend to leave no stone unturned as they seek the perfect formula ahead of their long-awaited series against India in March and April.

They will employ no less than three bowling coaches in the shape of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Aqib Javed.

The prospect of three Tests and five one-day internationals is mouth-watering indeed.

While former captain Asif Iqbal is as excited as anyone about the series - the first between the two sides in Pakistan for 14 years - he thinks three bowling coaches is one too many.

"Obviously when you have people of the calibre of Wasim and Imran around it's always a good thing to call on them to get their expert advice," Asif told BBC Sport.

"But I really think having three bowling coaches is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.

"It would be better to have two of the three and I think Wasim and Imran, in terms of their experience and their aura, would be the ones I would go for.

"The youngsters would look up to them and pay them plenty of attention."

Pakistan's team management say they are a little concerned about one of their pacemen, Mohammad Sami.

A fearsome prospect at the best of the times, he was clearly off colour at times during the recent tour of New Zealand.

WASIM AKRAM FACTFILE Born: 3.6.1966 Test debut: 1985 v New Zealand in Auckland Career highlight: Becoming the first man to take 500 one-day wickets in February 2003

And his overall record, particularly in Tests, suggests that consistency is not his finest asset.

"He has shown, in some of the matches both for Kent and Pakistan that he can win matches on his own," says Asif.

"But there are times when he can also look very, very ordinary. I am sure the bowling coaches will be able to help him."

The main challenge for Wasim, Imran and Aqib could be to ensure the bowlers are psychologically prepared.

With the series likely to be over-hyped in the coming weeks, the pressure to perform well could weigh heavily on some very young shoulders.

Viewing the recent form of both sides, Asif argues Pakistan are a more rounded side than India.

"After seeing what India did in Australia, they deserve a huge amount of respect," he says.

"But Pakistan have enjoyed two important wins in recent months as well. They beat South Africa in a Test series at home and then New Zealand on their own soil.

"The Indian team is really dominated by their batting whereas Pakistan have both batting and bowling to offer.

"The key thing from Pakistan's point of view is how fit and how good Sami and Shoaib Akhtar will be.

"India, on the other hand, will have tremendous confidence after the Test series in Australia."

But if Wasim, Imran and Aqib work their magic on Pakistan's attack, some of that confidence could be thwarted.