Pakistan off to West Indies
KARACHI: Pakistan's one-day squad left for the Caribbean with captain Misbah-ul Haq hoping to reverse the team's dwindling fortunes in the limited over matches. Pakistan will play five one-day and two Twenty20 matches on the tour, with the first match in Guyana on July 14. Misbah-ul Haq will lead the one-day team while Mohammad Hafeez will skipper the Twenty20 side. Misbah said the tour was important as it would help the team regain their confidence after a humiliating Champions Trophy last month, in which Pakistan lost all three matches. "We will do our best to play hard and positive cricket and ensure that a poor show in the Champions Trophy is behind us," Misbah said before their departure late Sunday. "The squad is focused on putting up a good show which will help in ending the disappointment of our fans and bring the confidence back." Misbah said they faced a challenging proposition playing the Windies on their home soil. "West Indies is a tough opposition and their batting strength is aggressive but I am sure that our team will do well in all three departments of the game," said Misbah. Dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi was recalled in the 16-man squad after missing the Champions Trophy in England, while there were also recalls for Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad. Umar will also keep wicket in the absence of his elder brother Kamran, dropped for the series. Also left out were Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat who both failed in the Champions Trophy. Three players -- Hamad Azam, Zulfiqar Baber and Sohail Tanveer -- will leave for the Caribbean later to feature in the two Twenty20 matches.
Post new comment