DUBAI - Pakistan are going into five match ODI series against New Zealand with keeping an eye on World Cup as Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said Saturday they were searching to build their momentum in the limited over games ahead of the global event.
"It is the last chance for us to just look into the things, how we are going into the World Cup," Misbah said. "So everybody will be focussed and everybody just wants to put up a good show. I always believe that confidence is the main thing."
He said Australia and New Zealand conditions would be completely different to that they were playing in UAE but it didn’t matter much. “If we play good cricket and adopt to conditions well, we could perform well against any opponent at any ground. I know Aussie pitches offer more bounce and pace but we could try to prepare identical wickets for the five ODIs which could also help us.”
On another query regarding Kiwis had relatively young side and majority of senior players are also not available to them but even then they managed to level Test and T20 series Misbah replied: “Kiwis adopted to conditions very well. They had good combination of players and had a very strong back up as well. They had played quality cricket for the last few months and had few certain individuals, who fit in at any given role and fill in the vacant places quite well, which always benefits them.”
When asked about why Irfan is padded and not involved in more matches, Misbah said: “We know Irfan’s importance for the squad in the World Cup and we also know due to his extra-ordinary height he had fitness issues. We can’t risk him in routine matches. We had to protect him as much as we could but it also makes no sense of having him in the bench and not properly utilized. He has now attained much better fitness and we would use him accordingly. We don’t want to rush him and can’t afford losing him through fitness issues for the World Cup as with his pace and awkward bounce, he could prove a trump card for Pakistan.”
When asked about how much Pakistan had missed premier spin wizard Saeed Ajmal and weather he would be able to make it to the World Cup Misbah said they were badly missing the services of Ajmal. “For the last 6 or 7 years he had shouldered the bowling burden and played major role in helping team to stage remarkable victories against all major opponents. I would love to have him back as early as possible. PCB is working hard to get him cleared as early as possible. But other bowlers have also realised their responsibilities and performed well. I hope they would continue with the good work and try their level best in case Saeed doesn’t made it to the World Cup, they could fill in his shoes and play major role just like Ajmal in helping Pakistan team winning the mega event.”
About Hafeez bowlin action, Misbah said it would be disastrous for us if Hafeez was stopped from bowling as he was a complete all-rounder and his bowling always helped team a great deal and hoped everything would be fine and he would get the clean chit.
When asked about his personal form, Misbah said: “Obviously I was not enjoying lean patch against Aussies but I had overcome that problem and my confidence level is in perfect shape. I am quite sure we would manage to win the ODI series and take the trophy home and hopefully the ODI series would not be a tie like Tests and T20 internationals.”
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson termed his team’s chances were very bright and after twice coming back from behind to square the Test and T20 series, now was the time to grab the ODI series. “I know Pakistan have a very competitive and balanced squad but we have also very young and determined group of individuals who are roaring to have a go. They want to end the tour on a high and hopefully we would we able to dictate terms, we had great series and now is the time to sign off in style.”
He also appreciated the presence of Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori who are helping the Kiwi bowlers. “Both these gentlemen are proven stuff. They had done wonders with the new bowlers and it is quite satisfactory to have them around. We had quite few new faces who would be given chances. There is very short time left before the World Cup we want to utilise each and every opportunity before the mega event and prepare a very competitive and strong squad. We are also very fortunate some quite quick bowlers had already left their mark. We were missing that cutting edge in the past but now the momentum is very much with us. I am hoping to get desired results.” Pakistan team will rest on Saturday and start practice today at 2:00pm local time before the first ODI starts on Monday in Dubai.