Super Eights: Pakistan look to survive group of death

Hafeez confident ahead of opening clash with South Africa today.

COLOMBO:

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 28^th, 2012.