KARACHI - Former Pakistan chief selector, Mohsin Khan feels playing a limited-over series in the heat of United Arab Emirates, just days before the ICC World T20 championship, will help Pakistan in the mega event, to be held in hot and humid Sri Lankan conditions, in September this year.

Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to play Australia in three One Day Internationals and an equal number of T20 International in UAE, between August 28 and September 10.  Comparing the playing conditions in the UAE to those in Sri Lanka, Khan said that both the venues are quite hot and it will give Pakistan an opportunity to prepare them for the esteemed tournament.
 “The weather in Sri Lanka and the UAE are similar in the sense that both places are quite hot. But the climate of both the venues differs in terms of humidity,” said Khan.
“Heat is the common factor though. So I think it’s good for Pakistan that they’re going to play a series in the UAE before the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka,” he added. The latest edition of the esteemed tournament, in which England will be defending their title, will kick start on September 18, with hosts Sri Lanka playing Zimbabwe in the curtain raiser, at Hambantota.
Pakistan have been drafted in Group D, along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. The men in green will open up their World Cup campaign against the Black Caps, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 23.
Replying to a query regarding the wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Khan said, “The pitches for ODIs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are normally pure batting wickets. We have a good team for ODIs and T20s – I hope they (new players in T20 squad) will click without taking any added pressure.”