Pakistan pacemen would be adopting a policy to attack Australian batsmen in their bid to take the team into the semi-finals of ICC Cricket World Cup, strike bowler Wahab Riaz declared here on Thursday.
“Quarter-final is a big game and we want to make it memorable with some outstanding attacking fast-bowler,” he told reporters at Adelaide Oval here ahead of their team’s crunch knockout game.
He said being the spearhead of team’s attack; they would be missing Muhammad Irfan.
Despite Irfan’s absence, Pakistan pace quartet of Wahab, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil are likely in action on Friday on bit greenish looking track, reports.
“We want to attack and play fearless cricket without bothering about results, but that is not in our hands,” he said.
“Thanks to Allah’s blessings and great bowling by us and team effort has brought us here and we are looking to go further,” said Wahab Riaz, Pakistan leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps to his credit.
He said they are aware that Australians are tough team and their batsmen are very good but we have attacking plans.
“I don’t mind conceding few runs. But, taking Australian wickets is our goal and objective,” left arm pacer maintained.
He said it will be a great contest between fast bowlers and Pakistan will be looking forward to match the Australians in this very department.
Australia got left arm pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner to challenge Pakistani batsmen.
Wahab said Pakistan team will have some advantage of Adelaide Oval having already played three matches here and as such knows the ground, pitch and surroundings and that would be beneficial.
“We have prepared Sarfraz Ahmed who will be playing upfront to challenge Starc, Johnson and company,” he said.
He said if Australian team is mentally tough, they also reached the same kind of mindset, spirit and dedication.
Wahab Riaz said they are disappointed to miss Irfan and wanted to win the match for the nation and dedicate the victory to him.
“Irfan is an integral part of our team and we wanted him not to feel alone when he needed us,” he remarked.
He admitted that there was a huge pressure on the team and coaching staff after back to back defeats against India and the West Indies but chief coach Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed motivated us to make a comeback and they did it with four wins in a row.