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| August 8, 2002 | Thursday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28,1423 |
Waqar aims for team consistency
LAHORE, Aug 7: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis said Wednesday he was aiming for team consistency as it set off for Morocco and its second big challenge ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“Of course the main aim is always to win, but for me I want my team to perform at a consistent level and after beating Australia we must keep up the momentum,” Waqar told AFP on the team’s departure.
Pakistan face South Africa and Sri Lanka at cricket’s newest venue in Tangier, Morocco from Aug 12 to 21.
“Beating Australia has always been the top challenge and now we face South Africa which is the second top team.”
The tournament, with prize money totalling US$250,000 and the winners taking home $120,000, is organised by the Cricketer’s Benefit Fund Series of Sharjah in collaboration with the Federation Royale Marocaine De Cricket.
Pakistan will play non-stop cricket in the lead-up to the eighth World Cup which will be held in South Africa from Feb 8 until March 23 next year.
“It’s a hectic program and the most important thing for us would be to keep the momentum and peak when we play the World Cup,” said Waqar.
Pakistan will miss the services of express bowler Shoaib Akhtar in Morocco for various reasons.
Pakistan and South Africa open the Morocco event with the first game on Aug 12.—AFP
OUR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT ADDS:
Waqar Younis claimed that more attention was paid to improve the fielding and batting departments during the 20-day long training camp at Gaddafi Stadium. “The boys made good progress after getting training from fielding coach from Trevor Chappell.”
Waqar was all praise for Mohammad Sami and said he was he was very much impressed by young paceman. At the same time, the skipper said that he was least bothered about Shoaib Akhtar’s absence. “Shoaib was a good bowler, but the team had the ability to win without him.”
Squad: Waqar Younis (Pakistan), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Rashid Latif (wicket-keeper), Wasim Akram, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq.
Officials: Yawar Saeed (manager), Mudassar Nazar (coach), Dennis Waight (trainer), Riaz Ahmed (doctor), Sikander Bakht (analyst).
Schedule
Aug 12: Pakistan v South Africa.
Aug 13: Rest day.
Aug 14: Pakistan v Sri Lanka.
Aug 15: South Africa v Sri Lanka.
Aug 16: Rest day.
Aug 17: Pakistan v Sri Lanka.
Aug 18: Pakistan v South Africa.
Aug 19: Sri Lanka v South Africa.
Aug 20: Rest day.
Aug 21: Final.
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