LAHORE: Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has admitted concern over the team’s lack of power-hitters following their comprehensive ODI series loss at the hands of Australia in the UAE.
Despite clean swept by Aussies in the five-match ODI series, Pakistan team performed well on an individual basis as Haris Sohail and Muhammad Rizwan made two centuries each while Abid Ali scored a century on his debut, Arthur said.
“That’s one of our areas of concern,” said Mickey Arthur when asked about the power-hitting.
“We have to make sure that we get our guys to bat in those positions as best as they can. That’s the reason we used Faheem Ashraf in two games. He has done a hell of a work in that regard and we wanted to give him more batting time,” he said.
“We have worked really hard with Imad Wasim in that role. Hasan [Ali] can hit the ball long distances. Shadab [Khan] has worked extremely hard on that aspect of his game,” Pakistan coach said.
“Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have worked consistently on their power-hitting. But, it is an area that is a worry and we have to work extremely hard to rectify it,” Arthur added.
Pakistan will leave for England on April 23 and in the build-up to the World Cup, Pakistan play as many as 11 matches -a T20I and five ODIs against England, three one-dayers against county sides, and two World Cup warm-ups.
“I can promise that they will be the best-prepared squad that’s ever left the Pakistan shore to go and represent this very passionate country in a cricket World Cup,” said Arthur.
“Our side will be the best-prepared team against England. Preparations don’t always account for results, but it gives us a better chance to get those results. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for the World Cup,” he maintained.
