ISLAMABAD Beaten finalists in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup two years ago, Pakistan would ordinarily be regarded as a title contender in the second edition of the event. However, a shortage of recent top-class experience in the format and an overall lack of international cricket have hurt its chances.
Pakistans ongoing security problems means the national team has struggled to find willing opponents, while its players were also banned from competing in the Indian Premier League. Pakistan has played only one Twenty20 international this year, beating Australia in the United Arab Emirates in May. Sri Lanka has been the only other quality opponent for Pakistan in the format since 2007.
After last years terror attacks in Mumbai, Pakistani players were withdrawn from the IPL. The decision may have been hasty, given the tournament was subsequently moved to South Africa, overcoming many of the security and political problems between neighboring India and Pakistan. Pakistans players have had to make do with the domestic Twenty20 Cup _ in which they competed in at least two matches _ and a five-day training camp at a resort in Bhurban.
Still, coach Intikhab Alam believes his side has the capacity to quickly adjust when the tournament begins Friday at Lords. We have tried to prepare ourselves with whatever we could possibly do. The boys have worked hard in training and I am confident we will get good results, Alam said.
Pakistan is in a relatively easy group, taking on the Netherlands and host England. A win against either opponent will almost certainly be enough for a place in the Super 8 stage. Pakistan however needs no reminding that it lost to Ireland in the 50-over World Cup two years ago and made a humiliating first-round exit.
Shahid Afridi will be Pakistans trump with his hard-hitting batting and fast legspinners, which troubled Australia in a recent series. Fast bowler Umar Gul, the best bowler in the inaugural event, could also trouble batsmen in Englands seaming conditions. Pakistan initially selected Shoaib Akhtar in the squad, but he dropped out for medical reasons and was replaced by Rao Iftikhar.
Confident in his bowling attack, Alam instead emphasized the need for his batsmen to post big totals. I feel 170-180 is a good score in English conditions because with the bowling we have, we could defend it, Alam said.
Pakistan takes on England in its first group game on June 7 at The Oval. It will then face the Netherlands on June 9 at Lords. — AP
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