Pakistan team leaves for Champions Trophy

The national cricket team left for United Kingdom to participate in the Champion’s Trophy via a private airline in the early hours of Tuesday.

The team comprising of Misbah ul Haq, Mohd.Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Imran Farhat, Umer Amin, M.Irfan, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz is due to play an ODI each in Scotland and Ireland before proceeding to England to take part in the Champion’s Trophy starting from June 6.

The team is also accompanied by tram manager Naveed Cheema and Coach Dav Watmore.

The squad fly to Scotland seeking to win next month’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan’s manager Naveed Akram Cheema said the players had been briefed extensively to avoid any controversy. “We have briefed the players that this is a very sensitive tour and they should maintain strict discipline as we don’t want a repeat of 2010 events,” Cheema said. “Players are told to restrict their off-the-field movement,” he added.

Pakistan will play two one-day games each against Scotland and Ireland before competing in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England from June 6-23. They are in Group B along with archrivals India, the West Indies and South Africa. Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand form Group A.

Earlier, Captain Misbahul Haq said the team can succeed. “I think there are no favourites for the trophy,” he said.

“We have a talented team and if all the players play their roles accordingly, then we can win the tournament. We have selected a squad specifically for English conditions,” Misbah added.