Changes, training will bring results: Cheema

Pakistan manager says team well prepared for the Sri Lanka series.

KARACHI: Forming separate teams for all formats and the extensive training camp with the practice matches will pay dividends against Sri Lanka, according to Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.  

Pakistan Twenty20 squad, led by Mohammad Hafeez, will practice in Hambantota today ahead of the first of the two Twenty20 internationals on Friday. Cheema, team manager since the series against Sri Lanka in the UAE last year, was confident of an improved show from the Asian champions due to the changes made prior to the tour.

“You see, it’s sort of a new-look team,” Cheema told The Express Tribune. “The players have the talent and potential, their morale is high and the combination of junior and senior players is gelling well. The preparation will help us too as the practice matches will play a huge role in removing the rustiness that may have crept in. Sri Lanka are a tough opposition but our preparation gives us a lot of confidence.”

Cheema added that he supervised various lectures where the players were reminded of the need to avoid controversies.

“The players were given anti-doping and anti corruption lectures. They were reminded how to behave on-field with the opposition as well as the umpires. Hopefully, the tour will be controversy-free.”

Meanwhile, the manager blasted organisers of the function to felicitate the Asia Cup winning squad. Test and One-Day International captain Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal were among those who left in protest after comedians imitated and mocked the national players.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2012.