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Lahore: Pakistan’s chief selector and national team manager, Moin Khan on Wednesday said that the curreny Aussie team is not as formidable as it used to be in the past.
“This Australian team is not as formidable as in the past and it is wrong to say we don’t have a chance against them in the coming series,” Moin said at a press conference in Lahore today.
“Australia will also be without some key players like their captain Clarke and all-rounder Shane Watson in the ODI series and they are not as strong as they used to be. This is not to say we are underestimating them or writing them off they remain a strong challenge for us,” he stated.
He said the Pakistan squad selected for the limited over matches was capable of winning the series. “We have some exciting young players and this series will be a good learning curve for them,” he said.
The former Test captain also didn’t write off experienced batsman Younis Khan and pace bowler Umar Gul for the upcoming World Cup. “The doors are not closed on them. Younis can be recalled for one-dayers anytime we feel the need and he is experienced enough to adjust while Gul still has to work on his match fitness to be given consideration,” he added.
Pakistan plays a lone T20 match, three ODIs and two tests against Australia. Moin said the selectors were looking ahead to the future and had picked both squads keeping that in mind.
“Fitness is a key factor now and players are realizing the importance of meeting given standards which is a good sign.” Moin said international cricket had changed a lot but Pakistan had talent which needed to be given exposure. Moin also announced the Pakistan A squad for a four day tour game against Australia and a separate A squad for a one-day series against UAE.
PTI
