Mixed bag: Though Afridi has fired on cylinders, the damage cloud over Shadab is a fear for Pakistan.
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR Ok
Pakistan finds itself in the midst of a tumultuous World Cup marketing campaign. With its semifinal hopes hanging within the stability, the aspect has seen a spate of accidents, the resignation of its chief selector and the call-back of group media personnel, all in the midst of a marketing campaign the place the new seat has proven no indicators of cooling down.
However, Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s director of cricket, seemed in good spirits forward of the conflict in opposition to New Zealand.
“The one thing that amazes me so much with the Pakistan players is generally how calm they are,” Arthur mentioned right here on Friday. “I’m a cat on a hot tin roof but the players take it all in their stride,” he added.
With intermittent showers in Bengaluru, the online run fee query may hang-out Pakistan if rains persists, given the Men in Green want a huge win to push their NRR in a beneficial route.
The health of vice-captain Shadab Khan is a query mark. The all-rounder was seen working with the medical group and physio because the think-tank performed a preliminary evaluation of his health and talent to take the sector on Saturday.
Arthur was effusive in his reward for Iftikhar Ahmed. “Iftikhar’s an underrated off-spinner. At the start, Babar was bowling Ifti a couple of overs. And Ifti always used to come off saying, “Coach, coach, I’m a 10-over bowler.” And I really like that,” he mentioned.
Arthur was inspired by what he noticed in opposition to Bangladesh in Kolkata.“ I’d like to say we’re peaking, but the preparation and attitude have to get better.”
