The team departed from Lahore to Dubai and will then fly all the way from there to Brisbane and then Auckland, where their preparations will begin with two ODIs against co-hosts New Zealand and then the warm-up matches. PHOTO: MALIK SHAFIQ/ EXPRESS
The team departed from Lahore to Dubai and will then fly all the way from there to Brisbane and then Auckland, where their preparations will begin with two ODIs against co-hosts New Zealand followed by the warm-up matches.
In the 2011 World Cup, Pakistan ended up as the losing semi-finalists as they were knocked out by eventual winners and hosts India, and they are not being rated among the favourites by critics in the upcoming mega event after bowling suspensions to Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Hafeez.
“It is important to play our best cricket and not think about winning or losing in the World Cup,” said Misbah, while speaking to the media before the team’s departure. “Every match is important for us but there are always high hopes that we do well against India. We are focused on the big match and we’ll try to end the jinx of not having won against India in the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, newly appointed team manager Naved Akram Cheema hoped that the players will give a hundred per cent in the World Cup after getting good practice under their belt.
The official added that the team has been playing regular cricket in the past six months and is therefore in good touch, and if the players can maintain a healthy team spirit throughout, then there is no reason why Pakistan cannot triumph in the competition.
“If everyone can keep up the team spirit, we will do something which will make the nation proud,” said Cheema. “The team is a good blend of experience and youth, and we’re going early with more than three weeks remaining in order to get acclimatised to the conditions.”
Junaid’s setback hits team departure
The teams’ plans were hit on the eve of their departure as pacer Junaid Khan was ruled out of the New Zealand series but still remains in contention for the World Cup.
Chief selector Moin Khan has named Bilawal Bhatti as his replacement for the two ODIs.
“The inclusion of Bhatti for the ICC World Cup 2015 squad will depend on his performance in the four scheduled matches in New Zealand, as well as Junaid Khan’s recovery,” said Moin. “If Junaid recovers, he will join the World Cup squad.”
On re-examining Junaid’s condition, physiotherapist Brad Robinson and PCB’s head of Medical and Sports Sciences Dr Sohail Saleem concurred that he had not recovered sufficiently from the traction injury of the nerve in the posterior right thigh and recommended recuperation at the National Cricket Academy.
“The PCB chairman has considered and approved the request of Misbah to include Bhatti in the team under the condition that he will play all scheduled matches in New Zealand,” added Moin.
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