Younus urges Pakistan to improve fielding in NZ series

Pakistan captain Younus Khan is looking forward to an improved fielding performance from his team in the three-match one-day series against New Zealand starting here from Tuesday. Fielding let Pakistan down when the two teams met in last month’s semi-final of the Champions Trophy in South Africa, where Younus himself dropped a sitter off Grant Elliott which cost his team dearly.

“We need to field very well, and this is one area where we need improvement as New Zealand have a clear edge on us in this department,” said Younus during the unveiling of the series on Monday.

Historically, Pakistan is one of the lower ranked teams when it comes to fielding, and Younus was quick to point out the grey area.

“We suffer a lot because of fielding but boys have shown inclination to improve fielding and I am sure this series will not only see them bat well, bowl well, but also field well,” said Younus. “They (New Zealand) are a very dangerous side and we have to be at our best in all three departments to beat them. They have quality players so it would be 50-50 when we start the series.”

Pakistan was forced to relocate the series out of their country after New Zealand refused to tour them following terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in March this year.

The attacks, which killed eight people and left seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach injured, ended all hopes of Pakistan staging any international cricket in the foreseeable future. The remaining two one-day matches will be played here on November 6 and 9 before the two teams move to Dubai to play two Twenty20 internationals on November 12 and 13.

After this limited over series, the two teams will play three Tests in New Zealand, also scheduled to be played in Pakistan but moved over security fears.

ABU DHABI, AFP