Jang News - We would not allow newcomers to become mere passengers: Talat

By Khalid Hussain

KARACHI: Pakistan team manager Talat Ali Malik on Tuesday urged his players to go all out for victory in a three-match One-day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka getting underway in Abu Dhabi from Friday.

“I’ve been telling my players, especially the younger ones, to make the most of the three matches in Abu Dhabi and the good thing is that they are fully aware that the team desperately needs positive results following the World Cup failure and are all pumped up ahead of the series,” Talat told ‘The News’ in an interview.

Pakistan would be making their first international appearance in the opening match of the series at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday following their disappointing World Cup exit in March.

Talat said that his boys trained hard for several days in intense Lahore heat and are now fully ready to take on the World Cup finalists.

“We have made tough preparations for the series under soaring temperatures and the way the boys worked hard in demanding conditions has made me very optimistic. Whatever the results, I am sure that they would play good cricket in Abu Dhabi,” said the former Test cricketer who would also be serving as the team’s coach during the series to be played from May 18-22.

Talat said that the playing elevens for the matches would be selected according to the conditions. “The window of opportunity would be open to all players,” he said. “We want to try out the younger players in the side but the final decision would be made according to the conditions,” he added.

In the recent past, Pakistani team managements have been reluctant in trying out new faces despite having them in touring parties. However, Talat said that this practice would end with the Abu Dhabi visit.

“We would not allow our younger players to be reduced to the role of being mere passengers,” he said. “Whenever required, the new players would be given ample chance to exhibit their talent and temperament at the international stage,” he added.

For Abu Dhabi, Pakistan have included two uncapped players — promising all-rounder Fawad Alam and medium pacer Najaf Shah — in their squad.

Talat fell short of assuring that the duo would play in Abu Dhabi saying that the combinations for the three games would be decided by the tour committee, which he would head.

The manager said that the players have been told in clear words that to find a place in the team and then retain it would depend entirely on their form and fitness.

“We are taking steps to change our entire culture. In the past, a player could be selected in the team on the basis of his previous performance but not now. In future, only the form and fitness of the player would guarantee him a place in the side,” he explained.

Talat said that the players going to Abu Dhabi should take this opportunity to show the world that they deserve to be in the Pakistan team.

He made it clear that Pakistan would need all their players to perform if they are to beat Sri Lanka, who are currently in top form.

“Sri Lanka would be coming to Abu Dhabi after an impressive World Cup outing and that makes them tough opponents even though they would be without a few top players,” he said.

But Talat was quick to add that his players would not be intimidated. “In the ICC Champions Trophy last year we beat a better Sri Lankan team and we can do that again in the up coming series,” he expressed.

Sri Lanka would be without some of their top players including Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara.

Talat pointed out that Pakistan would also miss leading batsman Younis Khan and pacer Shoaib Akhtar but added that the return of medium pacer Mohammad Asif would give the Pakistani attack a lot of sting.

He said that the series would also serve as a litmus test for Shoaib Malik, the captain. “In Shoaib Malik we have a new skipper and a lot would depend on how he performs both as a player and more importantly as captain in the series,” he said.

Pakistan would have a final training session this morning at the National Cricket Academy and would later fly out of Lahore for Abu Dhabi tonight.