“We will play to our
strengths in Abu Dhabi and look to take the series” says Pakistan Captain
Bumper Crowds Expected as
Fans Flock to Get Behind Their Teams
Pakistan and South Africa have
arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of two one day internationals in the NIB Bank
Presents Cool & Cool Cup, knowing the thrilling series may well be decided
in the UAE capital. The home team beat South Africa by 66-runs in the second
ODI of the series in Dubai on Friday night to level the five match series 1-1
having lost the first game by 1 run in Sharjah.
In
what has been a bowler-dominated series so far, the teams will meet for two
potentially series-deciding games in Abu Dhabi in matches three and four on
Wednesday, November 6 and Friday, November 8 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket
Stadium. With just one day between the two games, both teams will be aware that
the momentum and eventual series winner may well be decided during the first of
the back to back games, and Pakistan Captain Misbah-ul-Haq said his team would
look to grab the early momentum.
“We
have played some very good cricket so far and on the back of a very convincing
win in Dubai last week,” he said. “I think we have the confidence as a team to
put in another match winning performance here.”.
“We
haven’t fired with the bat yet, but our bowling and ground fielding have been
good and they are our strengths right now. Will continue to play to those
strengths and work on getting more from our batsmen in Abu Dhabi. I think it is
important that we win this next game and continue the momentum we gathered from
the previous win and if we can do that I think we are in a good position to
take the series.”
South
Africa has failed to find an answer to Pakistan spin with the trio of Mohammed
Hafeez, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal grabbing 6 wickets for 66 runs in 23.4
overs between them in game two. In the process, off spinner Ajmal became the
joint leading ODI wicket taker of the 2013, with 43 wickets and while the Abu
Dhabi wicket is likely to be more batsman-friendly, ul-Haq says Pakistan will
play to its strengths as South Africa continue to look frail against the
turning ball.
“We
have some world class bowlers,” said ul-Haq. “Saeed [Ajmal] is one of the best
bowlers in the world and Shahid [Afridi] has been a match winner for Pakistan
for a long time. Many batsmen have struggled to score against them.
“The
South African batsmen didn’t look comfortable against any of our bowlers and I
was pleased that our fielders were able to help apply the pressure by not
allowing the batsmen to rotate the strike.”
As
for the pressure of going into two must-win games at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket
Stadium, ul Haq said: “It’s exciting. There’s a lot to play for and I think we
are the team with the advantage at the moment. I’m looking forward to more
great support from our fans in Abu Dhabi who always do us proud. Abu Dhabi
often throws up exciting games and I’m sure the next two will be no different.”
With the
series delicately poised, fans are being encouraged to buy tickets now to avoid
the disappointment of missing out. David East, CEO Abu
Dhabi Cricket Club said: “The series has started brilliantly, with the momentum
changing hands several times in just two games. At 1-1 it is perfectly set up
for back to back thrillers in Abu Dhabi that may potentially decide the series.
“We’re expecting both sets of fans, Pakistani
and South African, to come out and support their team in their thousands and I
would urge all fans to get out and buy their tickets now.”
Tickets for both games are available from
Box Office ME, Time Out Tickets and various locations across Abu Dhabi and
Dubai, as well as from the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club box office.
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