Hafeez admits chasing is still a concern for them – Cricket News Update
Disappointed by his batsmen’s capitulation in the third and final T20 against Australia, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 has urged his side to improve while chasing.
Set to chase an intimidating target of 169 to win, in the third and final T20 against Australia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, last night, Pakistan’s batting line-up panicked as they were bundled out for their lowest T20 total of 74, in the penultimate over. The previous lowest total of Pakistan was 89 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, scored at Cardiff in 2010.
While speaking to media reporters after a 94-run crushing at the hands of mighty Aussies, the Pakistan opener admitted that despite winning the series 2-1, chasing is still a concern for them. However, he hoped the side would overcome the weakness, come the T20 World Cup opener against New Zealand, on September 23.
"There is a concern in chasing a target but I am confident that we will improve and do well in the World Twenty20," said Hafeez of the 12-team competition, which begins in Sri Lanka from September 18.
"Despite losing the third game I can confidently say that there is a happy feeling within the camp and we are gearing up for the mega event," the right-hander added further.
He, however warned his players to take the 94-run crushing as a wake-up call ahead of the global event, which gets underway in Sri Lanka in less than a week’s time.
"It’s a wake-up call ahead of the World Twenty20 and we now must realise our duties,” said the right-handed all-rounder, who took over as T20 captain from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 in May this year. "We must lift our energy levels while we chase," he added further.
The Pakistan skipper also backed his struggling opening partner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-Nazir-c64248, who managed scores of 22, 0 and one in the three T20 Internationals against the Aussies.
"Nazir is a Twenty20 specialist and I’m confident of his talent,” said Hafeez. “He’ll surely be disappointed with his efforts so far but hopefully he’ll do well in the World Twenty20," said Hafeez.
Pakistan have been placed in Group D in the latest edition of the T20 World Cup, and will kick start their campaign against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, on September 23.
Both Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 from Dubai, early Tuesday.
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