Team ready for better show against England: Shadab
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s white-ball vice-captain Shadab Khan, who struggled for runs and wickets while captaining Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) VI, Monday hoped that momentum of the league would help the team put up a decent show against England in the white-ball series.
Just after Pakistan’s first training session at the Incora Derby Cricket Ground while registering his views, Shadab said the PSL’s engagement would help leading players in bringing the best out of them.
“We are coming out of a hectic PSL and hope that momentum would help us show our best in two back-to-back white-ball series in England. Our leading players have done enough during the past one year to claim that the series against the One-Day champions would be a competitive one.
“We have defeated powerful South Africa in the away series. Fakhar Zaman was in an immaculate form. Imamul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, and captain Babar Azam were also in good form. Haris Sohail is also back. Now when we are coming out of hard and tough cricket, we think we are ready for a better show against England.”
Pakistan will play England in three ODIs and as many T20Is during their less than a month stay in England. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League. Currently, both teams are tied on 40 points with England on the second spot courtesy of a better run-rate.
Monday was the first day of the training session for the touring party following three days of complete isolation. Cricketers went through their paces and nets. Rain, however, curtailed the early morning session forcing the cricketers to concentrate on the afternoon session.
Shadab who had a poor PSL VI for the United picked nine wickets in 11 matches and scored just 94 runs. “I was a bit struggling with my fitness and even with my bowling. Now I am fit and concentrating mostly on bowling where I have to put in my best efforts to support Pakistan cause.”
Shadab was also excited to get United as team after playing against each other in the PSL. “The passion and love of my teammates for the game is evident by the calories they have burnt during the practice session today. It is great to be reunited as a team after competing against each other in the successful PSL VI. Of course, English conditions are different from the UAE but the PSL has given us momentum and we would like to keep this momentum going by playing some exciting and competitive cricket.”
Shadab praised the team’s bowling resources “Our bowling department is beefed up by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali’s form. They truly are the match-winners so we are very confident and hopeful about showing our full potential in the upcoming games.”
Meanwhile, the second Covid-19 test of all 36 members also turned negative. The team members will again undergo tests on the final day of their isolation period.
Tour itinerary: July 6: Arrival in Cardiff.
July 8: 1st ODI, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
July 10: 2nd ODI, Lord’s, London.
July 13: 3rd ODI, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
July 16: 1st T20I, Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
July 18: 2nd T20I, Headingley, Leeds.
July 20: 3rd T20I, Old Trafford, Manchester.
Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/856670-team-ready-for-better-show-against-england-shadab