Pakistan skipper looking to T20 championship
KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) — Pakistan will look to a three-week preparation camp starting today to enhance their build-up for the World Twenty20 Championship in the Caribbean.
The defending champions, in turmoil after last month’s failed tour of Australia, will gather in Lahore for what is being described as a strenuous exercise to get the team ready for the event.
Newly-appointed captain Shahid Afridi said the camp would be crucial to their preparation, especially getting the members of the team to gel before flying out to the Caribbean for the April 30 to May 16 tournament.
“I’m really looking forward to the training camp,” Afridi said.
“It will be a great opportunity for us to get ready for the Twenty20 World Cup both mentally and physically. It will give us ample time to gel together before we go to the West Indies.”
Pakistan will defend the title they won in England last year when they beat Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s.
In this year’s tournament, they will contest Group A of the preliminary stage in St Lucia against Bangladesh and Australia and naturally have been tipped to reach the second round.
The Caribbean does not hold fond memories for Pakistan, however as they bowed out at the first stage during the 2007 Cricket World here three years ago.
Afridi said he still believed his side would flourish there as the conditions were ideal for their style of cricket.
“I must say that I’ve always enjoyed playing in the West Indies, maybe because my record there is pretty good,” the all-rounder said.
“The thing is that the conditions and wickets there suit Pakistan which is one big factor that should go in our favour.”
The side will be a weakened one after the Pakistan Cricket Board banned and fined seven of the team’s leading players but Afridi said he did not believe they would be affected by disunity.