Hanif, who is widely acknowledged as the best judge of wickets, was approached by a selector on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The selection committee wanted to inquire about the strips before finalizing the 14-man squad.

``There have been different wickets in the last two editions of the (best-of-five) series. In the 1996 event (won 3-2 by Pakistan), the wickets were more conducive for the spinners while last year (won by India 4-1), they favoured more to the seamers. We don't know how they would behave this time and that's why we requested PCB to fly someone to Canada to give a first-hand information,'' sources stated.

However, Hanif rejected the idea saying that the proposal was not a practical one. ``There is still one month left before the event begins. Naturally, the weather will change owing to which the surface will also change. Then I also don't know the quality of the equipment which the organisers have to protect the wickets. Besides, the soil and the roller used on the wickets are unknown.

'It would be too big a risk to predict about the strips at this stage,'' Hanif said on Tuesday.

Hanif said if he was allowed to prepare the wicket, he would have been in a position to advise the selectors. ``But that I can't do because it is the portfolio of the local organisers.

``Even if I was allowed to see the preparation of the wickets, I might have been of some use. But the team is expected to be selected next week and the make-up of wickets is unlikely to start by then,'' he said.

Nevertheless, Hanif stated that if he was attached with the team to advise on the wickets, he might be of some help. ``There are three pitches on the square and this means that at least one would be used twice. After watching the first game, I would be in the best of position to suggest how the wickets would play in the remaining matches.''