Playing outside home makes Pakistan a strong contender for CT: Hafeez

07 May, 2013

Vice-captain of Pakistan cricket team Mohammad Hafeez believe that the success rate of team over the last few years after being forced to play away from home, makes it a strong contender for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in England. Talking to private news channel, Hafeez said that despite being forced to play the home matches at neutral venues, Pakistan still had a 60 to 65 percent success rate in the last three years, which is commendable.
"The good thing about our team is that we have been playing in different countries and still producing good results with a success rate of 60-65 percent," he said. He pointed out that even in ICC events Pakistan had done well in recent times. "This boosts Pakistan's confidence level and the good thing is that we have a squad that is a blend of youth and experience. When you have youth in the side they are always eager to perform well and cement their places in the side which is a big plus point for us," he said.
Hafeez asserted that the players had learnt a lot from defeat of tour of South Africa. "It is time to move on and the good thing is that the board decided to set up camp in Abbottabad. Obviously we cannot have exactly the same conditions that we will encounter in England but they are similar. "The weather is cooler and the pitches have grass and moisture and that is good preparation for the Champions Trophy," he said. Hafeez said that he had been sticking to his basics and tried to keep his game as uncomplicated as possible. Having greats like Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram around has also been a great help.

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