Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez was a confident man ahead of the Super Eights clash against South Africa taking place today, maintaining that his team was ready and eager to take on the mighty in the ‘group of death’.
Pakistan are placed alongside Australia, South Africa and India in Group 2 of the Super Eights, termed as the tougher of the two. The four teams have emerged undefeated from the group stages but Hafeez was adamant that Pakistan had the potential to escape unhurt and be one of the two teams to qualify for the semi-finals.
“We will go all-out,” said Hafeez. “We’re not lacking in any department as we have a sound batting line-up that has shown its ability in chasing targets. Our seamers and spinners have always played a crucial role in helping us win.”
Hafeez insisted his team was not even thinking about the game against India, the first Twenty20 international between the archrivals since the 2007 World Twenty20 final, that takes place on Sunday.
“We take it match by match. Our immediate focus is on how we are going to tackle a strong side like South Africa. We will think about the others later.”
Hafeez said Pakistan’s game plan revolved around spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, saying the duo was capable of restricting the best batting line-ups. Meanwhile, speaking on the conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Hafeez said Pakistan’s familiarity with the conditions will help their cause.
“We’re quite comfortable playing here. I hope the pitch offers assistance to the spinners as we’re relying on them.”
One cause for concern for Hafeez would be the performance of the fast-bowlers and poor fielding. “Umar Gul didn’t do well against Bangladesh but is an experienced, match-winning bowler. He can always change the fortune of the game. Catches can be dropped by any player on any day. But the players are giving their 100 per cent.”
Ajmal a threat, admits
de Villiers
On the other hand, South Africa captain AB de Villiers admitted the group was tougher but was looking forward to the challenge. “It is a tough group,” said de Villiers. “Any of the sides can beat each other on any given day, so it is going to be a great challenge. But if we play good cricket, we will be difficult to stop. We have prepared well, to the extent that we are ready for even the Super Over.”
The South African captain’s main worry against Pakistan was how his team will cope against Ajmal. Asked if his batsmen had been able to understand the spinner, de Villiers said, “Not really but there are not many batsmen who can read him. We have studied him closely. It will be important to watch the ball closely.”
Hafeez
“We’re not lacking in any department as we have a sound batting line-up that has shown its ability. Our bowlers have played a crucial role in helping us win.”
De Villiers
“It is a tough group. Any of the sides can beat each other on any given day, so it is going to be a great challenge. But if we play good cricket, we will be difficult to stop.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2012.
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Gul should be replaced with Sami (better fielder, better batsman and can contain runs). Tanveer Sohail should be repalced by Razzaq, (much better batsman, fielder infact an all rounder)
Fielding and catching by all extra effort is required especially by the wicket keeper
Ajmal is truly in great form and can turn things around in a match by either picking up quick wickets or by suddenly bringing a dip in the scoring rate (it is surprising that he is already 34 when he seems to have just made an appearance). If at least one other major bowler is able to pitch in (and the batting doesn't cave in), Pakistan will be a tough team to beat in these conditions. It has also survived the toughest league group with Bangladesh as the third team while other groups had true minnows.
Bring in Razzaq for the mediocre Tanveer Sihail and Sami for Gul. Gul is going for plenty with his bowling and is a poor fielder, with Sami we at least can get good fielding even if he goes for runs.
Key bowlers will be Afridi, Ajmal and Gul. Gul really needs to find his footing since he is one of the greatest t20 bowlers thus far and can do serious damage to any line up, as his spells of 5/6 against NZ have shown. On the batting side of things, Hafeez and Jamshed really must fire to give the Pakistan bowling unit something decent to defend. Jamshed is a class act with a solid technique+ temperament and will hopefully really make his now. Another blitz by Imran Nazir would be handy too! Best of luck boys, bring it home!