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Pakistan’s aggressive style of play will be put to test in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup under the new coach Geoff Lawson, who believes he has the proper combination spearheaded by world’s best pace attack to spring some surprises.

In an interview with ‘The News’ on the eve of team’s departure for Kenya enroute to South Africa to compete in the event, Lawson admitted he had in his team some real potential match winners.

“Pakistan cricketers are popular for their aggressive style and indeed we have got some real potential match winners that could make the tournament memorable for the country,” Lawson said.

On the top of Pakistan aggressive armoury is the pace attack that consists of Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul. “Pakistan is lucky to have such a balanced pace attack. We have also got firepower in the batting line-up. All and all Pakistan have a very balanced team for the inaugural event,” he said.

When asked the cricket crazy people of Pakistan would not take the occasion just as fun or an exhibition tournament as only victory could satisfy them, he said he was also looking forward to serious business.

Lawson said no team even the Australians could expect winning every game. “What we are looking forward is to win important matches through timely performance of some leading players,” he said.

The former Australian Test cricketer said it was not practical to win every match. “That does not happen in professional sport. What I can promise is to give hundred percent in every game we will play. I would also ensure you that if we went on to win three games at a trot we would play the fourth game with a fresh mind.”

Lawson said he was happy to see Pakistan players cooperating with each other and giving an impression of a real fighting combination. “Players have trained like a unit and always seem prepared to help each other. This sort of attitude also helps you get better results,” he said.

The coach for whom the Twenty20 World Cup would be the first major assignment, announced he had got a bowling combination that could restrict a good line-up to under 150 runs.

“In most of the matches where wickets suit the bowlers a bit, 150 runs would be enough to win a match. Our bowling combination is capable of that provided wicket is not totally placid,” he said.

Lawson has yet to finalise the playing XI combination for the World Cup but said players like Shahid Afridi had a role to play. “We are departing for Africa almost 10 days early. Our main purpose of playing matches against Bangladesh, Uganda and Kenya is to prepare a proper combination for the World Cup,” he said.

Lawson puts Afridi in the category of those players who have an important role to play in South Africa. “Though I have no plans of playing him as an opener, he could be asked to bat up front. It depends on the situation and if need arises he may be asked to come early. The Kenya matches will give us a better idea where to play him,” he said. Narrating his personal experience of South African conditions for the twenty20 games, he predicted that slow tracks might be prepared for the occasion.

“As this type of cricket is meant for a run feast, I could foresee curators preparing batsmen friendly wickets for the Cup.”

Lawson said he even had seen slow pitches for one-dayers and Tests in South Africa during his previous visits. “The Gaddafi Stadium Lahore pitch has got more pace to the one we would find in South Africa.”

The Pakistan coach was not ready to give a favorite tag to any particular team. “What you need is a bit of luck and timely performance from your best players. Besides Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India are all capable of doing well.”

The Pakistan team leaves for Kenya on Wednesday (today) from Karachi.

Source:Cricket News

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