Zimbabwe tour good preparation for future, says Waqar

Pakistan's trip to Zimbabwe is a short one, and in just over two weeks they will face an England side buoyed by their recent success in the Ashes. Waqar Younis, Pakistan's coach, has said that the games against Zimbabwe will be good preparation for his team, as well as helping the side to build towards the World T20 next year.

"We've got a very big tour coming up straight after this against England, so this is kind of a preparation," Waqar said. "We had a couple of months layoff before this which we needed after a long tour to Sri Lanka, but I think the boys are fresh and we want to make the most of it. We're going to make sure that we get the experience out of it and also have a look at the younger boys. We are in a situation as well where every team is looking to that [T20] World Cup, and that's what we're trying to do as well. That's why we're bringing youngsters in to have a look at them and see what our best team can be for the World Cup."

One of those youngsters is left-arm seamer Imran Khan, whose stellar performances in domestic T20 cricket earned him a national call-up and, potentially, a debut in the first T20. "We're very excited about what he's going to come out with because he has been very good on the domestic circuit," Waqar said. "He's not very quick, he has got that X-factor, he bowls a good slower one, he's very young and inexperienced but he knows what he's doing. If he plays, you'll see something different."

Waqar credited the hosts whose tour of Pakistan in May broke a six-year cricketing drought in the country, and repeated the mantra that Zimbabwe are not a side to be taken lightly. "I've been here a few times, it has been wonderful. The hospitality here is superb and we're also thankful to them because they've been to us. After six years we were in serious trouble so it's a payback kind of a tour and it's going to be a tough one.

"Zimbabwe have always been a fine side, especially when they are playing on their home soil. They know the pitches and the conditions very well, so the idea is not to take them easy. It doesn't matter how much experience you've got, especially with Twenty20 cricket it's on the day. You have to really be on your toes to play against any side. So we're going to make sure that we put up our best team and deliver the goods and hopefully win both of the games."

Waqar suggested that Pakistan weren't quite sure of what to expect from the Harare Sports Club pitch, but good preparation meant they were ready for whatever was presented. "We've been keeping a close eye over the last few series and this pitch at Harare hasn't really given much to us. On the odd day we have seen the ball spin a lot and on the odd day the ball going through. It gives a lot of flavour to cricket so we have to be really ready for it and make sure that whatever we come across we're ready for."

Waqar added that Pakistan are looking to shed their reputation as an inconsistent side. "It has been the case from the past and we're trying to cut it short and make sure that it doesn't happen so often. Any side can falter on a given day - you've seen Australia go down badly in the Ashes when they were the favourites. We're going to try and minimise that and make sure that if we put our right foot out then we'll be able to win these games."

Pakistan's preparations will also have been helped by the presence of Grant Flower on their coaching staff, who has worked extensively with Zimbabwe in the past.

"That's why we hired him - especially for this tour," Waqar joked. "Grant has been superb, his work ethic has been superb. He has become very friendly, he understands the culture, he understands the boys and the work ethic is superb. So of course we are going to dig something out of him. That's the advantage I guess."