Pak will bounce back in series despite struggling to adjust to NZ conditions: Intikhab
By ANITuesday, December 28, 2010
HAMILTON - The Pakistan team, presently facing difficulty in adjusting to the weather and pitch conditions in New Zealand, will bounce back in the remaining two matches of the Twenty20 international series, team manager Intikhab Alam has said.
Pakistan were beaten by five wickets in the first match against New Zealand on Sunday, and also suffered the humiliation of being bowled out for just 91 runs in a T20 side match against Auckland last Friday.
“This team has the ability to bounce back in the series. Although there are no doubt the players are facing problems adjusting to the different conditions in New Zealand,” The Nation quoted Intikhab, as saying.
He said that it would take time for the players, who were touring New Zealand for the first time, to adjust to the different weather and pitch conditions.
“But the coach has told the batsmen to show more application and patience while batting in the remaining matches,” said Intikhab.
“The senior players who have been to New Zealand before also realise that they need to show the way to the younger players and help them adjust to the conditions,” he added.
Intikhab also noted that on the smaller boundaries in New Zealand, the touring team had to score at least 175 runs in the Twenty20 format of the game in order to nullify the advantage of the hosts.
The team manager said that the players also realised how important it was for Pakistan to have a successful tour of New Zealand, as it was their final international outing before the 2011 World Cup to be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
He also said that there were no disciplinary issues in the Pakistan team, as the management had made it clear to everyone that there would be no compromise on discipline.
“We are confident that the team will comeback strongly in the series because despite all the problems Pakistan cricket has faced in recent months, the players have been told to just focus on their cricket,” Intikhab said. (ANI)
