ISLAMABAD - Former cricketer and Pakistan team batting consultant Zaheer Abbas has said that team Pakistan is working hard in practice sessions for World Twenty20 Cup.
Talking to a TV channel, Zaheer said that team was in great form to grab the victory despite being fully aware of the fact that it was included in the tough pool. "Pakistani team is very balanced and there are certain individuals, who are more than capable of winning matches at their own," he said. Zaheer added that players especially batters were aware of the fact that there was no chance of a single mistake as they would be facing strongest contenders in the tournament.
To a query, he replied that Umar Akmal was in good form and rhythm and he would deliver for the team in this tournament as well. "I have spent time with players in the nets during the Asia Cup and I am more than satisfied with their positive response but there is still room for improvement", said Zaheer.
To another query, he said that team Pakistan was in one of the toughest pools. “We have to face the likes of arch-rivals India in the very first match of the event and then other heavyweights of the cricketing world but we are better prepared and the momentum has swung in Pakistan's favour.” Zaheer asserted that batsmen had managed to play full quota of overs in Asia Cup, which is a significant improvement.
Meanwhile, Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz feels Kamran Akmal should be given the responsibility of wicketkeeping in the Pakistan-India match of the Twenty20 World Cup to be played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur saying Umar should only focus on his batting.
Sarfraz recommended the team management to keep Kamran behind the wickets as he was a full time wicketkeeper. "Kamran has the ability to stump the wickets of the any player with ease and in this way, Umar should focus purely at his batting," he said here on Tuesday.
Sarfraz said Kamran should be sent as an opener with Ahmed Shahzad while Sharjeel Khan must be rested in the match against India.
 “Pakistan should play the same team in their next warm-up match against South Africa on Wednesday which they want to put against India on March 21," he said.
He said Shahid Afridi's 100 per cent fitness was very essential in the match against India as he was a match winner and could change the situation of the game anytime he wanted. “The team management should check and assure Afridi's complete fitness before the match," he added.
The former pacer said M Talha should be rested in the match against India as Junaid Khan and Umar Gul were better options. "Talha has been out of rhythm and we cannot make a single mistake which can cost us the match," he said.
Sarfraz said that it was his dream that Pakistan beat India in the World T20 match as the green shirts never defeated them in World Cup matches either ODIs or T20Is. "It is time Pakistan should break the jinx against India in the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup,” he concluded.