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Bowling key for Pak

BISHWAJIT Roy from Kandy
Pakistan is in an advantageous position not only because they are well ahead in strength than opponents Bangladesh but also because of the difficult equation the Tigers have to overcome to qualify for the Super Eights of the ICC World Twenty20. But Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez is not ready to take anything for granted when they take on Bangladesh in the last Group D match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today.
“We are not thinking as if we have already qualified (for the Super Eights). We have to play well against Bangladesh, who we know can come hard. On certain days inT20, anybody can win. We are not going to take anyone easy,” said Hafeez, affectionately called "the professor”, during a pre-match press
conference at Pallekele yesterday.
“AU the boys are focused. The most important thing as a unit is that every player wants to do well for Pakistan and is working hard and every man is ready to perform under pressure,” he added.
Pakistan's main strength is their bowling, especially the variety in their spin attack, but their batting also clicked against NewZealand in their first game which they won by 13 runs.
“I am really pleased with our bowling options. The best thing for me as a captain is that whenever I ask someone, he is ready to take the pressure," said Hafeez.
"We have different spinners in our side. (Shahid) Afridi is a totally different spinner from Bangladesh's spinners, they rely more on left-arm spin. (Saeed) Ajmal is always difficult for any batsman to pick with his doosra. We rely on them as match-winners. I am happy the way Afridi came up against
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New Zealand — his confidence is growing. We are looking forward to him putting in more performances with his bowling and batting,” he added.
Regarding the combination against Bangladesh in today's match, Hafeez said: “It will depend on what surface the match will be played on. The combination will be decided according to that. I am confident as a captain, as there are three bowlers sitting out -- Sami, Razzaq and Hasan. Our bowling is our strength."
He also expressed his satisfaction over the way his batsmen showed character in the first game against New Zealand at the same venue.
Hafeez was also confident that his pace bowling department will come to the party in the coming matches.
“We have always relied on our fast bowlers. Over the past couple of years, the spinners have been controlling the performances. Ajmal and Afridi have been excellent. My bowling benefits the team always as I look to bowl economically. I am not a wicket-taker. That is why there is a bit less pressure on the fast bowlers. But they need to improve. Umar Gul and Tanvir have been matchwinners for us. I hope they will execute their skills better in the coming games,” hoped Hafeez.