Mohammad Hafeez: Warm-up win over India will boost morale of team – Cricket News Update
Pakistan’s T20 skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 has said that the victory over archrivals India in the World T20 warm-up match, at Colombo yesterday will boost the morale of the side going into the marquee tournament.
Arriving in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in their first practice match, chasing down an intimidating 186-run target, at the R Premadasa Stadium on Monday.
Hafeez said that after clinching comprehensive wins over the strong sides, India and Australia, his team was brimming with confidence. The Pakistan skipper was also confident of taking the momentum into the mega event.
"We won the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the UAE before coming here. Now we have beaten India in practice match, this will give us the momentum and boost in the tournament proper," said the promising all-rounder during a post-match media encounter, after
five-wicket win over Dhoni and Co on Monday.
After opting to bat, India rode on whirlwind half centuries from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 (56) to post a competitive total of 185 for 3 in their stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, despite a setback in the middle overs – three wickets in three overs for just seven runs – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 managed to chase down the hefty target on the first ball of the final over, courtesy Kamran Akmal (92 not out) and Shoaib Malik (37 not out).
"The way the boys approached the chase was very positive. We knew if India could post that total, we could get it if we worked hard,” said Hafeez, who was appointed as national T20 skipper in May this year. “http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kamran-Akmal-c70122 was exceptional. That is what experience
is all about," he added further.
The skipper also lavished praise on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088 for his supporting Akmal stupendously in the chase.
"The experience of Malik was also the key,” said Hafeez. “He supported Kamran really well. The bowlers tried hard, but things didn't work out for them today," the Pakistan skipper concluded.
Pakistan will play another warm-up match against defending champions http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 on September 23.
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