U19 coach upbeat ahead of South Africa tour

Believes trip will be important in preparing for the World Cup.

LAHORE:

Pakistan under-19 cricket team coach Sabih Azhar is confident that his side will put up a good show on its tour of South Africa where it will participate in the Tri-Nation Tournament besides taking on the hosts in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

“We’ve prepared well for this tour and the boys have been in good form in domestic competitions,” Azhar told The Express Tribune before the team’s departure to South Africa. “The selection committee has put together a balanced team so we’re quite hopeful.”

Ideal preparation for mega-event in August

Azhar believed that the tour will go a long way in preparing the side for the under-19 World Cup that begins in August.

“We’ve always performed well in World Cups and the present bunch can also handle the pressure of playing in the mega event. I’m sure this team contains players who will go on to become superstars.”

The Tri-Nation Tournament kicks off from January 11, while the ODI series against South Africa starts from January 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2012.