Pakistan can beat England: Azhar Mahmood

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan bowling coach Azher Mahmood has said that Pakistan team would come hard at English and could beat them.

Addressing a press conference ahead of Pakistan team's match against England here at the Trent Bridge on Sunday, he said Pakistan played close matches against England in the recently concluded series, adding Pakistan scored 1,370 runs while England posted 1,430 runs during the four ODI matches and it was a misnomer to say Pakistan team were underdogs.

To a query, the former all rounder said whenever they lost, Pakistan team always came back stronger, adding the team lost first match in the Crucket World Cup 1992 while they failed against India in a Champions Trophy 2017 but the team bounced back on both occasion and lifted the trophies.

"We are well-aware what we are capable of and what our opponents can do," he responded.

To another question, he said it would be a different ball-game tomorrow, adding teams do use bouncers against teams from the sub-continent.

Responding to a question, Azhar said English team had great batting prowess and were a very strong team, but as far as matter of England scoring 500 runs in the world record pitch at Trent Bridge ground was concerned people should not forget that they needed 300 balls to achieve 500 runs while Pakistan team required 10 balls to derail.

To a question, Pakistan team bowling coach said Pakistan had lost 11 consecutive games but five of these were against Australia where eight or nine senior players were rested, while a young team faced England as well.

About the inclusion of Asif Ali against England, he said no decision was yet made yet in this regard while the team would be announced before the match.

Azhar, responding to a question, Pakistan team was not awed by the pace of Jofra Archer or Mark Wood, adding they were good bowlers and the team respected their skills.

About short-pitched bowling, he said Pakistan team had the services of bowlers who could bowl at 150 mph and could pay tit for tat to the teams for bouncers.

He admitted that it was an off day on short-pitched deliveries for Pakistan team against West Indies, adding short-pitched bowling practice was a routine during training sessions for the team.

To a question, Azhar Mahmood said the Cricket World Cup is not a roller-coaster affair for all the teams, adding the team which learn from mistake would win the tournament.

The Paksitan bowling coach said England are a strong team and the inclusion of Jofra Archer had strengthened their bowling,

adding one never knew which four teams would make to the semi-finals and win the CWC 19.