DUBAI // Despite being as low as seventh in the ICC’s Twenty20 rankings, Pakistan can still “demolish” any opposition in the format.
That is the view of Samuel Badree, the leading bowler in the world in the 20 over game, who says his West Indies side are wary of the threat posed by the Pakistanis in the UAE.
The two sides meet in two T20 internationals at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday and Saturday, with a third match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Although the West Indies are the reigning world champions, and have arrived in the UAE fresh from beating India, they are aware of the challenge facing them.
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“Pakistan are very similar to us in terms of their consistency — or lack, thereof,” said Badree, who was speaking after training at the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City on Monday.
“One day they will give a brilliant performance, just like us, then the next, they leave a lot to be desired.
“On their day, they can demolish any opposition, and we are wary of that challenge. We respect every opposition that we come up against, and we are going to do the same against Pakistan.
“We are going to prepare well, knowing that Pakistan are a very, very dangerous team.”
Recent evidence supports the point made my Badree, who was part of the Islamabad United side who won the inaugural Pakistan Super League in this city last winter.
Pakistan were soundly beaten by England in their one-day international series last month, but bounced back to thrash the same opposition in the T20 match that followed.
For Mickey Arthur, the South African coach of Pakistan, that win provided a glimpse of the sort of fearless gameplay the Asian side need to base their future on.
Arthur, who was Australia’s coach when they won a limited overs series against Pakistan in the UAE in 2012, says there is plenty of “scope to progress” as a limited-overs side.
“Our Test side in particular is a very stable side, with a lot of senior players in it, but we need to rebuild our one-day side,” Arthur said.
“We were playing a style of cricket that was totally outdated. The exciting thing is bringing in a new brand of young players.
“The players we have brought in — Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, Sohail Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammed Nawaz — they take the game on.
“They don’t fear failure, which is fantastic. They are the guys we want to build this one-day cricket brand around. We have to change this brand.”
West Indies will prepare for the three-match T20 series with a friendly against the UAE at the ICC Academy on Tuesday night, starting at 8pm.
[ pradley@thenational.ae ]
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