The new look Pakistan cricket squad prepared to fly out to Abu Dhabi
today to play a one-day series against Sri Lanka with new captain, Shoaib Malik exhorting his team to get back to winning ways.
Malik also made it clear he was not under any pressure leading the side for the
first time in a major series. The 25-year old allrounder also exhibited at a press
conference in Lahore that he has got a clear cricketing mind.
Asked for his opinion on what he thought about the appointment
of Mohammad Asif as his deputy for the series, Malik shrugged his shoulders
and said it was not his decision and the board had made the appointment so it
didn't matter what he thought about it.
Malik said he was confident about Pakistan's chance as the
team included several experienced players and the conditions in Abu Dhabi would
be similar to that in Pakistan.
"The series is important for us as we are playing for the first time after
the World Cup and it would be good to get back to our winning ways and
restore some of our lost pride and give something back to the people,"
he said.
Malik said Sri Lanka would prove to be a strong opponent despite
being without three of their main players, Muthiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara.
"They have played in the World Cup final and it will be
their final series under coach, Tom Moody. So I think they would be keen
to give him a nice farewell present." Malik said the Lankans had improved
a lot as a one-day side and had lot of depth in their team.
"For us the good thing is that we have trained hard in hot weather and
know what is expected of us in this series," he said.
|
