Inzamam expects stronger Pakistan

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq put Pakistan's opening defeat to South Africa down in part to lack of preparation time.

But he was confident a stronger touring side will be in a better position for the rest of the three-Test series.

"We did not have enough time for practice but that's not an excuse," he said after the seven-wicket defeat.

"Mohammad Yousuf is coming, Shoaib [Akhtar] is there and Umar Gul is fit so we will have stronger bowling and stronger batting."

Pakistan had just once three-day match before the Test series, and have little time to recover before the second Test starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

At least record-breaking batsman Yousuf will be with the side after staying at home to be with his wife as she gave birth.

Pace bowler Gul is recovering from an ankle problem.

And Shoaib - called up initially to replace Gul - has taken time to regain fitness after taking time away during a successful appeal against a drug ban.

Inzamam bemoaned his side's inability to take a first-innings lead or to take advantage of a turning pitch on the final day.

"We had a good opportunity because we won the toss," he said.

"In the last innings it was not easy to bat so credit goes to the South African team, who batted very well."