Lahore: Having suffered from his blade in the just-concluded series, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq described Mahendra Singh Dhoni as ``murderous'' and a player to be watched in the 2007 World Cup.

The Indian wicket-keeper, who blasted away 219 runs in four innings in the five-match ODI series at a stupendous strike rate of 137, ``is safe behind the wickets and can be compared with Adam Gilchrist though the Australian has proved himself as the best after years in the game,'' Inzamam told PTI in an interview here.

On a high following his team's brilliant performances in the past one year, Inzamam finds himself the target of criticism after losing the ODI seriesto India. But the burly Pakistani is unruffled the way he is at the crease. His team lost to a much superior foe, he admits.

Calm and composed

Is he angry? ``I control my anger. If someone drops a catch and I get angry, will that catch come back to us? It won't. Therefore, it is better to be cool because that helps in better performance'', he said.

Inzamam believes that the Pakistan team has become much better in the past two years. ``When India came here in 2004, our boys were young and inexperienced. They have since played a lot of cricket in other countries and that has given them experience and confidence,'' he said.

The atmosphere in the Pakistan dressing room had definitely improved. ``When you have confidence, the atmosphere in the dressing room also improves,'' Inzamam added.

Young and talented

Analysing the Indian team, Inzamam said that undoubtedly batting was India's strength, as the line-up was very experienced. The bowlers were inexperienced but young and talented.

He strongly disagrees with those who believe that Sachin Tendulkar was on the decline. ``He has shown by the way he batted that he is not on the decline. In my view, he is good enough for another four or five years,'' Inzamam said.

He rates Tendulkar as one of the five best batsmen in the world along with Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Brian Lara.

Where does Inzamam himself figure? ``Oh, Inzamam comes way behind them,'' he replies modestly, notwithstanding the fact that he has an average of nearly 52 after 107 Tests and about 40 in 356 ODIs.

How would he like to be remembered when he hangs up his boots? ``If people remember me as someone who contributed to Pakistan's cricket, I will feel good. If people say good things, it makes me feel happy,'' he responds shyly.

Essential ingredients

Answering a query about the drop in Irfan Pathan's pace, Inzamam does not think that this has made him less effective. ``If your line and length is good, you are effective.

Inzamam's impression on the new talent in the Indian team:

Yuvraj Singh: He is an exciting, young talent who has now learnt to finish off games. He has the power to play big shots and is equally clever in finding the gaps to nudge and push the balls for ones and twos. His footwork has improved tremendously ever since I saw him last year. The only time he looks uncomfortable is when he receives short-pitched deliveries.

M.S. Dhoni: I can easily pick him as one of the players to be watched in the 2007 World Cup. He is unorthodox but very effective and at times murderous. He is difficult to bowl to because he has this ability to even hit the good balls with a jab shot. He is equally good in horizontal and vertical bat shots. He is safe behind the wickets and can be compared to Adam Gilchrist though the Australian has proved himself as the best after years in the game.

Suresh Raina: I did not get a chance to see him because the Indian top order did not let the pressure come to him and the latter order batsmen. But I always believe that only the best players are picked to represent their countries and therefore Raina must be a good cricketer.

Irfan Pathan: He is blossoming into an all-rounder India desperately needed to strike the right balance in one-day cricket. He was always a good bowler who bowled to a teasing line and length, but his batting has improved after Greg Chappell threw him into the deep end and made him realise that he has the ability to graft as well as play big shots.

R.P. Singh: A young and committed bowler who bowls with a lot of heart and determination. He is young and will surely gain speed and at the same time will maintain top grade fitness. — PTI

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