Former champions Pakistan would be looking to give their World Twenty20 preparations another shot in the arm on Monday (tomorrow) by whitewashing Australia in their three-match Twenty20 International series.
Pakistan have already achieved an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with a thrilling victory in Super over on Friday night and now look set to complete the rout against the Aussies, who have slumped to tenth in the T20 International rankings following their back-to-back losses.
Captained by allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan are already regarded by many as one of the title favourites at the ICC World Twenty20 Championship which will be held in Sri Lanka from September 18. Their emphatic series triumph in Dubai has further consolidated Pakistan’s status as one of the main title contenders for the world T20 crown.
And now Hafeez and Co are looking to complete the job by conquering the Aussies in the final game of the series.
Pakistan’s series triumph has helped them jump to number four in the Twenty20 International rankings which Hafeez believes is a good sign for them ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Hafeez said the series victory will give his team more confidence.
“It’s a great sign as captain. I am happy in the way players are responding to me as captain. Everyone is confident and this is a great sign for the team ahead of the World Twenty20,” said Hafeez after Friday night’s win.
“As captain I feel very proud of my team and I hope from here on they will continue also in the mega event,” said Hafeez of the World Twenty20 in which Pakistan are in Group D along with New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Hafeez said allrounder Shahid Afridi was doubtful for the third and final match after injuring his left hand during Pakistan’s 2-1 defeat in the preceding one-day series.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal also hurt his shoulder on Friday but will be fit for Monday’s final match, said Hafeez.
The skipper was pleased with the way his team fought for victory in the second game.
“It was an exciting finish,” said Hafeez. “It was tense, but you know Twenty20 cricket can bring such tense moments. In the end I am happy that we won, even though it was in the Super over. I think we fought well in the 40 overs.”
Australia captain George Bailey was disappointed at the loss.
“It was exciting finish. I think our bowling was good but we couldn’t finish that game well,” said Bailey.
