New Zealand tour: Pakistan still have bowlers to trouble New Zealand, says Sarfraz
Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Tuesday said that Pakistan team will miss pacers Junaid Khan and Usman Khan Shinwari during the upcoming New Zealand tour. He said this while speaking to the media after the kit unveiling ceremony held at the Gaddafi Stadium (Far End Pavilion) here on Tuesday. The cricket team kit was unveiled jointly by Adnan Shahid, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), PTCL, Chairman PCB Najam Aziz Sethi and Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Other attendees of the ceremony were Syed Shahzad Shah, EVP Marketing & Communication, PTCL, senior PCB officials' and Pakistan T-20I Team Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Speaking to the media, Sarfraz said that although they faced some difficulties due to injuries, the team combination is good because of a strong bowling line-up. He said, "Our players will perform well in the series. I am hopeful that the batting line-up will perform well too." He added that the ban on Hafeez's bowling is a big setback for us; we will give his role to Shoaib Malik. Sarfraz said that he is hopeful the batting line-up will not be shuffled during the upcoming series, and the team will decide whether to go with four or five bowlers based on the conditions. He said that opener Imam-ul-Haq has proved his selection right, adding that his target is to play good cricket and win the series.
Chairman PCB Najam Sethi speaking on the occasion, said, "PCB, as the governing body of cricket in Pakistan, is involved in all aspects of the game and in promoting the interests of Pakistan cricket both in the country and abroad." He further said, "PCB was grateful to PTCL for co-sponsoring the T-20 series to be played against New Zealand. The tour will offer a new dimension to Pakistan team as they will play in different conditions against a formidable opponent." Speaking on the occasion, Adnan Shahid, CCO, PTCL said, "Cricket and PTCL, both connect the country and unite the nation. We are excited to co-sponsor T20 team kit of Pakistan cricket team, which is also World Number 1 team in ICC T20I Rankings. Like all Pakistanis, we wish the team all the best and hope it will continue the winning streak and win the tough New Zealand series comprehensively. PTCL will continue supporting PCB and Pakistan cricket in future as well."
Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed on the occasion acknowledged PCB's efforts and said it was an honour for him to have the opportunity of leading the country in this forthcoming series in New Zealand. Pakistan tour to New Zealand will comprise five ODIs and 3 T-20I matches.
No content from Business Recorder shall be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication, or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Business Recorder shall not be responsible or held liable for any error of fact, opinion or recommendation and also for any loss, financial or otherwise, resulting from business or trade or speculation conducted, or investments made, on the basis of the information posted here. Nor shall Business Recorder be held liable for any actions taken in consequence." >Copyright Business Recorder, 2017