Malik optimistic to do well in Tri-Nation Series
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is very optimistic to do well in the Kitply Cup Tri-Nation One Day International (ODI) Tournament beginning Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) at Mirpur in the city, reports UNB.
"Our aim is to win match by match. We want to win all the three matches (including the final)," he said about their target in the tournament while addressing a press conference at the SBNS Friday.
Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson and manager Talat Ali Malik were also present.
Malik said: "Our target is to maintain consistency. We won eleven matches in a row and want to continue that winning spree. Everyone in our side is fit and we are looking forward to playing good cricket."
Asked how they miss pacer Mohammad Asif in the meet, he said Asif is no doubt a very good player, but they have also some hard working players like Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Khan. "We still have a very good bowling attack." he added.
Malik, who recently played for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, told a questioner that the Indian side is now in pretty good shape as they did well in Australia. "We want to win the game against them (India) and gain our confidence level," he said.
Coach Geoff Lawson thinks Bangladesh at home would be a pretty tough opponent to beat.
Asked whether the absence of Shoaib Akhter and Mohammad Asif would affect his side's balance, the Australian born coach said he does not think so. "We've some good all-rounders, spinners, wicket keeper-batsman and I think the balance of the team is good."
Replying to a query, Lawson, who led Pakistan to become the first twenty20 World Cup runners-up, said: "IPL was a very good tournament and our players did well there. Although our players were out (of ODI) for the last five weeks, I hope they will adapt well to the conditions (here)."
Immediately after arriving in the capital around noon, the Pakistan side had a practice session at the SBNS in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Indian team, another participant in the Tri Series, will arrive Sunday (June 8).
In the eight-day tri-nation tournament, hosts Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the first ODI at the SBNS Sunday. Pakistan will play against old foes India in the 2nd ODI on June 10, also at the SBNS, while Bangladesh will face India in the 3rd match on June 12.
After the single league basis matches, the top two teams will play in the final slated for June 14, also at the same venue. All the matches will be on day-night basis.
Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Sohail Khan, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan and Naumanullah.
Officials: Talat Ali Malik (manager), Geoff Lawson (coach), David Dwyer (Trainer), Mohtashim Rasheed (Fielding Coach), Faisal Hayat (Physiotherapist), Umer Farooq (Analyst), Mohammad Nawaz (Masseur).
"Our aim is to win match by match. We want to win all the three matches (including the final)," he said about their target in the tournament while addressing a press conference at the SBNS Friday.
Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson and manager Talat Ali Malik were also present.
Malik said: "Our target is to maintain consistency. We won eleven matches in a row and want to continue that winning spree. Everyone in our side is fit and we are looking forward to playing good cricket."
Asked how they miss pacer Mohammad Asif in the meet, he said Asif is no doubt a very good player, but they have also some hard working players like Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Khan. "We still have a very good bowling attack." he added.
Malik, who recently played for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, told a questioner that the Indian side is now in pretty good shape as they did well in Australia. "We want to win the game against them (India) and gain our confidence level," he said.
Coach Geoff Lawson thinks Bangladesh at home would be a pretty tough opponent to beat.
Asked whether the absence of Shoaib Akhter and Mohammad Asif would affect his side's balance, the Australian born coach said he does not think so. "We've some good all-rounders, spinners, wicket keeper-batsman and I think the balance of the team is good."
Replying to a query, Lawson, who led Pakistan to become the first twenty20 World Cup runners-up, said: "IPL was a very good tournament and our players did well there. Although our players were out (of ODI) for the last five weeks, I hope they will adapt well to the conditions (here)."
Immediately after arriving in the capital around noon, the Pakistan side had a practice session at the SBNS in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Indian team, another participant in the Tri Series, will arrive Sunday (June 8).
In the eight-day tri-nation tournament, hosts Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the first ODI at the SBNS Sunday. Pakistan will play against old foes India in the 2nd ODI on June 10, also at the SBNS, while Bangladesh will face India in the 3rd match on June 12.
After the single league basis matches, the top two teams will play in the final slated for June 14, also at the same venue. All the matches will be on day-night basis.
Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Sohail Khan, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan and Naumanullah.
Officials: Talat Ali Malik (manager), Geoff Lawson (coach), David Dwyer (Trainer), Mohtashim Rasheed (Fielding Coach), Faisal Hayat (Physiotherapist), Umer Farooq (Analyst), Mohammad Nawaz (Masseur).