Whatmore upbeat ahead of World T20

Pakistan coach says SLPL is good preparation.

LAHORE: Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore was upbeat about his side’s chances at the World Twenty20, welcoming the opportunity for his players to prepare in the Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL).

Nearly all Pakistan players selected for the mega event that starts in September in Sri Lanka feature in this month’s SLPL.

Whatmore, 58, who was appointed in March and coached Sri Lanka to their 1996 World Cup title, said his players will get good practice in the venues where the World Twenty20 will be held.

“There’s an opportunity for some of the boys to participate in the SLPL and it’s a good thing,” Whatmore told reporters at the National Cricket Academy. “At least they are playing in similar conditions and in those two grounds where we are going to play our matches.

“There are a few other [countries] doing the same thing and they are getting good practice. The selectors have given us a group of players who are competitive enough to give us the right results and win the games.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2012.