MUSHTAQ_PREDICTS_VICTORY_29MAR1

Mushtaq predicts victory on coming tours

LAHORE, March 28: Pakistan cricket coach, Mushtaq Muhammad has predicted Pakistan's victory in Sharjah Cup and Test series in Sri Lanka.

The former Pakistan captain described the team as a "winning combination" and said it was the favourite for winning the Sharjah Cup. "The team which is a blend of youth and experience is in good shape and capable to win at Sharjah and Sri Lanka," he said.

But he highly spoke about weakness in fielding and said emphasis during the camp training was laid to improve this department but there is still a room of improvement. "We have world's most fear pace attack, solid batting and brilliant spinners but we still need to work hard in fielding which could be a winning factor in one-day matches," he stressed.

Regarding sickness of dashing opener Saeed Anwar he said he will get a bill of clearance tomorrow from doctors and after that selectors will decide this issue. "He is suffering from bronchitis and fever and not in good shape and we hope that he will recover to join us for the twin tour of Sharjah and Sri Lanka," he said. Regarding the replacement of Saeed, he said, it was the job of selectors to find a suitable replacement if the batsman is not declared fit by the doctors.

Pakistan coach said Rameez Raja is ready to play his role as an opener in the absence of Aamir Sohail who was suspended for a month by the disciplinary committee for his misconduct. "Rameez had produced a bulk of runs in the domestic tournaments and we hope that he will repeat his sterling form," he said.

To a question, he said, Sajid Ali will be adjusted in the middle-order according to requirement of team and match strategy. "I have not seen him playing much in the tournament but the way he batted in the Wills Cup it indicate about his skilful attitude in the game," he said.

He described the two-Test series in Sri Lanka as "tough and challenging" as he felt that Sri Lankans were the best team at home in world. He said Pakistan enjoy edge in pace and spin bowling over their Sri Lankan counterpart. "Our battery of pace bowlers comprising Wasim Akram Waqar Younis, Shahid Nazir and Muhammad Zahid and spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmad will surely pose threat to Sri Lankans," he said. "No matter Sri Lankan are the world champions we will strive for victory in both Test," he said

Team will leave for Sharjah on April 1 and will fly to Sri Lanka on April 13 from Karachi.

Source:: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn/)