Afridi gives positive spin to South Africa series

Pakistan are determined to regain their focus as they begin preparations for next year’s World Cup with a ‘home’ series against South Africa on Monday beginning with the first of two Twenty20 matches at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

“We all know that the World Cup is near. This series is equally important for us and victory here will keep the morale very high. Our focus to play some good cricket here,” said all-rounder Shahid Afridi who will lead the side in the five match one-day series as well.

Pakistan’s recent tour to England was plagued by spot-fixing allegations that resulted in the suspension of three of their players by the International Cricket Council.

Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were charged for violating various codes of conduct during the Lord’s Test against England in August, a controversy which Afridi said is a thing of the past.

“My players are professional and have put all the controversy behind them,” Afridi said at the launching ceremony of the series on Tuesday that will see Pakistan play two Tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Afridi said the team has ample talent despite the absence of their two key paceman and was banking on home advantage to counter the South Africans.

“We know we are without two of our best bowlers in Aamer and Asif. South Africa are a good side and they are very professional. But I think the conditions here are going to suit us,” he said.

“It looks a like a batting track like what you get in the sub-continent,” said Afridi of the Zayed stadium surface.

Coach Younus said it was not easy regrouping when the spot-fixing controversy erupted in England but they bounced back to win two of the one-day matches.

“I think things are now lot more clearer. We are lot more focussed and there is not much pressure regarding that fixing and all that chaos. We are really looking forward to this series. It’s been a while since we have played Test match cricket in our part of the world and I think this condition will hopefully suit us,” said Waqar.

“Honestly speaking it’s not easy when you have lost your major players who were in the playing XI. It was unfortunate that this whole thing happened and we don’t really have them anymore. It’s difficult but it’s not impossible. We are trying our best and making sure that with whatever resources available we get the best out of it,” he added.

Although Pakistan’s attack will look different without Amer and Asif, the former Pakistan pace spearhead said it was still potent force. “Shoaib Akthar is back which is very good. I’m pleased with Wahab Riaz’s performance. We have got these youngsters who have been really playing well in the tournaments back home. Tanvir Ahmed is there. I think we have a fairly good attack with three spinners in the squad,” he said.

Welcoming the return of former captain Younis Khan, he expressed confidence the star batsman would make a positive impact to the team’s fortunes. “He is a very experienced player and has been a consistent performer. He has been practising really well in the nets. I don’t see he would have any problems in adjusting in this sort of cricket anymore,” said Waqar.

Asked whether their preparations for the World Cup were on the right track, he sounded positive. “I think so. We have got some good youngsters and old campaigners like Younis Khan, Misbah, Afridi and (Abdul) Razzaq. We have got a perfect blend of youth and experience,” he said.

But they were desperate to regain their winning touch during the series against South Africa and New Zealand next. “We have been playing lot of cricket on the trot for the last six or seven months. We haven’t really had any rest. These two series are definitely going to be key and realistically we want to win this,” he said. “We still have a couple of months to prepare and we are sure of having a good team for the World Cup.”

Team manager Inthikab Alam said the players have been reminded constantly of the ICC Code of Conduct to enforce discipline and ensure nothing goes wrong. “I’m sure that passage of time things will get better. We are looking forward to that,” he said.

Pakistan Twenty20 (from): Shahid Afridi (captain), Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahzaib Hasan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider

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