UAE pitches will suit Pakistan: Intikhab

KARACHI: Former captain Intikhab Alam said on Friday that pitches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be more suitable to Pakistan because they have been playing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the past few years.

“That will be an advantage for Pakistan. However, how they capitalise and take benefit is yet to be seen,”he told APP in an interview.

“We beat Sri Lanka in the last series in UAE and also performed well against South Africa in 2010,” he recalled.

“Playing conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are different in nature,” he commented.

“Sheikh Zaid Cricket Stadium is placed in an open area in Abu Dhabi and because of the openness, breeze helps pacers and swingers also,” he said.

Dubai Sports City International Stadium is a closed venue and assists the pacemen early on because of moisture on the pitch, he added.

Intikhab Alam, who is also Director National Cricket Academy, and had been to the UAE to supervise preparations of the pitches, said it will be typical sub-continent tracks with more advantage to the batting side.

He opined that apart from good batting and bowling, Pakistan must raise the standard of their fielding to offer challenge to the England team.

He said the England team was out of action for a few weeks and is coming from extreme cold to the UAE while Pakistan had been playing for the past few months.

“Pakistan team is in a good rhythm at the moment after series' good results against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,” he said.

Intikhab Alam however admitted that England is altogether a different proposition and are ranked number one in International Cricket (ICC) Test ranking.

He said while the English team will be adjusting and acclimatising in UAE conditions, Pakistan will have an edge in that area.

“Misbah’s team have to play with the potential like they showed in 2011 against a quality English attack and maintain their consistent run,” he remarked.

He dispelled the impression it will be a series between off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Graham Swann.

“This is a team sport and everyone has to contribute in it. We may see other surprises apart from Ajmal-Swann contest,” Intikhab, a legendry leg-spinner of his era, predicted.

He believed that batting will be the key in Pakistan’s success. If openers Hafeez, Taufeeq with experienced Younis, Misbah and young Umar Akmal perform well it will be great for the Pakistan team.

Intikhab Alam, who managed the Pakistan team on a few occasions in the UAE said bowlers have to bowl in the areas with variations and plan to get success.

“In such a high profile series, small mistakes will be fatal. Players have to be focused at all times for a better result,” he said.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012