Cricket: Scots wary of Shoaib

THE SCOTLAND coach, Jim Love, will not allow his men to bask in the glory of one encouraging World Cup performance because the prospect of humiliation looms round every corner.

Love's hardy bunch of mainly part-time players opened their campaign with a battling six-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia at Worcester on Sunday. It was a performance which drew plaudits from the game's governors and a vindication of the decision to expand the competition into a 12- team, two-group event. However, it does not get any easier for the Scots, who face the formidable battery of Pakistan bowlers at Durham today.

While Wasim Akram is a familiar face to domestic watchers, newcomer Shoaib Akhtar is the man who caught the eye as his country blitzed the West Indies in their opening game. Giving Pakistan the chance to bowl first with the swinging white ball is almost certainly something which the Scots' captain, George Salmond, will not be doing if he wins the toss.

"We'll be looking to put them in, I think," Love said. "We have played against one or two of them before and we know what to expect. But while we have to face their bowlers at some stage, it would make more sense not to do so when the conditions suit them."

Having stuck by Bruce Patterson for the opening game, Love is unlikely to be considering making too many changes to the side. The 20-year-old seamer, John Blain, one of only two professionals in the squad, will again lead the bowling attack after claiming two wickets against Australia. The Yorkshire all-rounder, Gavin Hamilton, and former Worcester middle- order batsman, James Brinkley, will be looking to repeat the form which took the Scots to a respectable 181 on Sunday.

"We will turn up, have a look at the wicket and see what happens," said Love, whose side lost a World Cup warm-up game against Durham by two runs on their previous visit to the Riverside. "Pakistan are a brilliant side but they are capable of blowing up quite easily. We got stuck in pretty well against Australia and we have to do the same again [today].

"We have said all along that we may get a thrashing at some stage and if anything this game will be harder than the first one. Pakistan's bowling is stronger and someone has to hang around and make a big score. But we are enjoying ourselves so far and long may that continue."

Ijaz Ahmed has been ruled out of the Pakistan side with a toe injury and is likely to be replaced by Salim Malik, appearing in his fourth World Cup. Pakistan will not name their team until the morning of the match.