LAHORE, Aug 9: Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq hoped on Monday that his team would win the forthcoming back-to-back tournaments, the three nation in Holland later this month and the ICC Champions Trophy in England in September.
"I think of only victory. I believe the team is well-balanced and if it performs to potential, it can win," Inzamam said while addressing a Meet the Press Programme organized by the Sports Journalist Association Lahore (SJAL).
The other two teams involved in the three-nation event are Australia and India. Asked what made him so confident about win against the Australians, he said that although they (Australians) were the best, it didn't mean they were unbeatable.
"For this target to be achieved we have to improve our fielding, which is now showing some improvement. We are good in two other departments - bowling and batting."
The induction of foreign experts in the management, Inzamam observed, had boosted the players' confidence and the difference that he saw between local and foreign coaches was that the foreign experts laid more emphasis on attending to courses to get certified. It is time Pakistan also adapt to a recognised system for international coaches, he advised.
Inzamam, without mentioning any name, said that some team members would not be available for the World Cup 2007 and did not believe in any specific time for starting the finalisation of the line-up for an event to take place three years from now on.
"You should always try to maintain a winning combination as it bolsters the boys' morale and confidence which is necessary for a competition like the World Cup. No one can say who will be able to play in the World Cup because all depends on (continual) good performance," Inzamam said.
Inzamam said 'no' to a question about a time period for his retirement and stressed "I want to continue playing until I am satisfied with my performance." About the team's selection process, the skipper said that he was not a "yes man" and always picked the final line-up himself.
"I believe the selection of the final XI is a captain's right as he is responsible in the field," he said. However, he said he was satisfied with the selection of the team for the three-nation and the Champions Trophy and added that the selectors had picked the best possible lot.
Defending the recall of Shahid Afridi in the squad, he admitted the player's past performance was not so impressive but he was picked as a sixth bowler. "We have been facing problems without a sixth bowler and to fill that place, we had three options available - Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi - and so we selected one."
Refusing to answer a question which position Afridi would bat, he said "there is no permanent batting order for the ODIs as the situation keeps changing. Afridi can also open the innings if need be," he said.
Inzamam, however, warned that it was last chance for Afridi to perform. He also defended retaining Moin Khan as wicket-keeper. "We need wins to build players' confidence, therefore, I prefer senior players as they can better cope with pressure situations," he said.