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Pakistan will be looking to stretch their lead in the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe by taking the next game, to be played at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday (tomorrow).

Skipper Shoaib Malik said that his team would ruthlessly go for a win in Hyderabad after beating the tourists by a 104 runs in the series in Karachi on Monday. “We are looking forward to giving our best in the next match to extend our lead to 2-0 in the series,” Malik said here on Tuesday after a training session at the National Stadium.

Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe by 104 runs in the opening mtach after posting a mammoth 347 with the help of a record five fifties. However, Pakistan’s pace attack that included debutant left-arm pacer Samiullah Niazi looked quote toothless and finally the spinners including Malik himself had to finish the demolition job. But Malik is not concerned.

“I’m quite satisfied with the team’s overall performance (in the opening one-dayer) and am confident that the boys will even better in Hyderabad,” he said. Malik hinted that Pakistan may opt to make one or two changes in the playing line-up but said that the final decision will be taken after examining the playing conditions at the Niaz Stadium which will be hosting its first international match in over ten years.

“We will look at the (Niaz Stadium) wicket before deciding the combination for the next match,” he said. Team manager Talat Ali was also confident that Pakistan will continue to dominate the Zimbabweans during the rest of the series.

“The boys are really looking forward to give their best in the up coming series and we are expecting positive results from the team,” said Talat, a former Pakistan Test cricketer. He praised the performance of young opener Nasir Jamshed who hit a sparking 61 on his debut in Karachi the other day. “Nasir really gave a good showing in the match and he is certainly a good addition to the squad,” he said.

Talat also defended pacer Samiullah though the youngster had a poor debut as he gave away 60 runs in his ten overs without taking a single wicket. “Samiullah bowled well but he was unlucky not to get any wickets. The pitch, too, wasn’t very helpful.”

Earlier, the Pakistanis had a training session here with the players featuring in a game of rugby with their trainer David Dwyer. The team management has been instructed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to allow the cricketers to play football during training sessions in a bid to shield them from injuries.

Shoaib Malik injured his ankle while playing football after Pakistan lost the Delhi Test against India in November and was forced to sit out of the rest of the series.

The Zimbabweans also had a practice session at the National Stadium. The two teams will travel to Hyderabad today (Wednesday) and will have training sessions at the Niaz Stadium this evening.

Source:Cricket News