NOTTINGHAM – Pakistan bowling coach Azher Mahmood has said that Pakistanteam would come hard at English and could beat them.
Addressing a press conference ahead of Pakistan team’s match againstEngland here at the Trent Bridge on Sunday, he said Pakistan played closematches against England in the recently concluded series, adding Pakistanscored 1,370 runs while England posted 1,430 runs during the four ODImatches and it was a misnomer to say Pakistan team were underdogs.
To a query, the former all rounder said whenever they lost, Pakistan teamalways came back stronger, adding the team lost first match in the CrucketWorld Cup 1992 while they failed against India in a Champions Trophy 2017but the team bounced back on both occasion and lifted the trophies.
“We are well-aware what we are capable of and what our opponents can do,”he responded.
To another question, he said it would be a different ball-game tomorrow,adding teams do use bouncers against teams from the sub-continent.
Responding to a question, Azhar said English team had great battingprowess and were a very strong team, but as far as matter of Englandscoring 500 runs in the world record pitch at Trent Bridge ground wasconcerned people should not forget that they needed 300 balls to achieve500 runs while Pakistan team required 10 balls to derail.
To a question, Pakistan team bowling coach said Pakistan had lost 11consecutive games but five of these were against Australia where eight ornine senior players were rested, while a young team faced England as well.
About the inclusion of Asif Ali against England, he said no decision wasyet made yet in this regard while the team would be announced before thematch.
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Azhar, responding to a question, Pakistan team was not awed by the pace ofJofra Archer or Mark Wood, adding they were good bowlers and the teamrespected their skills.
About short-pitched bowling, he said Pakistan team had the services ofbowlers who could bowl at 150 mph and could pay tit for tat to the teamsfor bouncers.
He admitted that it was an off day on short-pitched deliveries for Pakistanteam against West Indies, adding short-pitched bowling practice was aroutine during training sessions for the team.
To a question, Azhar Mahmood said the Cricket World Cup is not aroller-coaster affair for all the teams, adding the team which learn frommistake would win the tournament.
The Paksitan bowling coach said England are a strong team and theinclusion of Jofra Archer had strengthened their bowling,adding one never knew which four teams would make to the semi-finalsand win the CWC 19.
