Pakistan look to add to Australia’s woes

Afridi likely to miss final Twenty20 as team eyes whitewash today.

DUBAI:

Pakistan will be looking to add to Australia’s woes ahead of the World Twenty20 by completing a whitewash when the two sides clash in the third and final match of the series in Dubai today.

Pakistan pulled off a sensational Super Over win in the second Twenty20 on Friday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead and setting the tone for the mega event that takes place in Sri Lanka.

The win was extra special after it followed a 2-1 loss to Australia in the One-Day International (ODI) series, also pushing the opponents below Ireland to 10th in the ICC Twenty20 rankings.

The results have pleased Pakistan head coach Dav Whatmore, who said he was happy with the way the team responded after the ODI series and showed improvement in cricket’s shortest format — adding that the experience of the Super Over was crucial.

“I’m delighted,” Whatmore told reporters. “We can’t do any more than to win two out of two. It was an exciting finish but it’s good to have the experience of the Super Over leading up to the World Twenty20.

“We played consistent cricket and the players have responded well after the ODIs because there was just one day in between the change of the format. There’s a very strong bond between the players and they support each other.”

While the wins would brighten Pakistan’s chances, the issue of team combination is yet to be solved with all-rounder Shahid Afridi sitting out of the first two games due to injury.

However, Whatmore said he was sure of the combination ahead of the event, where Pakistan are placed alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group D. The former Sri Lanka coach was also eyeing a whitewash, adding that a couple of changes were likely for the final game today.

“The game is still important. The pressure is off and there will be a change as it is an opportunity to look at one or two other players. But we will remain competitive as winning is important.”

Whatmore also hinted Pakistan might not
risk playing Afridi in the final Twenty20 but was confident off-spinner and Australia’s nemesis Saeed Ajmal will recover from a shoulder problem.

Meanwhile, Australia batsman Cameron White said his team was preparing well for the World Twenty20 despite dropping in the rankings.

“The bigger picture from the preparation point of view is that we are experiencing tough conditions and similar conditions to what we are going to experience in Sri Lanka,” said White, former Twenty20 captain. “Obviously we have not been winning, but we have made great steps from the first game to the second and I think we are heading in the right direction. From a preparation point of view it is fantastic.”

Dav Whatmore

“The game is still important. The pressure is off and there will be a change in the team as it is an opportunity to look at one or two other players. But we will remain competitive as winning is important.”

 Cameron White

“Obviously we have not been winning, but we have made great steps from the first game to the second and I think we are heading in the right direction. From a preparation point of view it is fantastic.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2012.