Pakistan target win over South Africa
Shahid Hashmi
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi hoped his beleaguered side is focused
enough to counter a spirited South African team in the back-to-back
Twenty20 matches starting here on Tuesday.
Pakistan's recent tour to England was rocked by spot-fixing
allegations which prompted a Scotland Yard investigation and the
suspension of three of their players by the International Cricket
Council.
Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were
charged for violating various code of conduct during the Lord's Test
against England in August, a controversy which Afridi said is a thing of
the past.
Professional
"My players are professional and have put all the controversy behind
them," Afridi said at the launching ceremony of the series in which
Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals and two Tests.
The series is Pakistan's home series shifted to United Arab Emirates
over security fears.
Afridi said the team has ample talent to counter the South Africans.
"We know we are without two of our best bowlers in Aamer and Asif," said
Afridi of the two suspended bowlers. "But we still have ample talent to
counter South Africa who are a very good side in the shorter form of the
game."
South African captain Johan Botha agreed Pakistan will miss the
talent of Asif and Aamer.
Quality
"You always miss quality players and surely Pakistan will miss the
two (suspended) bowlers, but we too have injury problems in the team and
when such things happen other players step in," said Botha.
Allrounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale
Styen were still recovering from various injuries and may not be able to
play the first Twenty 20.
Botha hoped at least two of the three players will be available for
the second Twenty 20, also to be played here on Wednesday.
Challenge
"Playing Pakistan is always a great challenege and they knocked us
out in two major Twenty20 matches," said Botha of Pakistan's wins over
South Africa in the second and third World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2010
respectively.
The two sides play the first two one-day in Abu Dhabi before the last
three limited over matches in Dubai.
Dubai will also stage the first Test, while the second will be played
in Abu Dhabi.
Squads: Pakistan (from): Shahid Afridi (capt), Imran Farhat, Mohammad
Hafeez, Shahzaib Hasan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Asad
Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz,
Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider South
Africa (from): Johan Botha (capt), Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers,
Jean-Paul Duminy, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, David Miller, Graeme
Smith, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale
Steyn, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
ABU DHABI, Tuesday AFP
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