Bracewell upbeat ahead of tour

ISLAMABAD: As young guns of the New Zealand cricket team set out on a tough assignment in Pakistan, captain Michael Bracewell hoped to live up to the T20 requirements by playing entertaining cricket and taking the aggression back to the hosts.

Talking to the media on the eve of the team’s departure, Bracewell said it’s a huge honour to lead the side in Pakistan. “It is a big honour to lead the side to the Word Cup. I will try to be myself. I will try to speak through my actions on the field by playing the cricket that T20 requires and by taking wickets and scoring runs.”

The all-rounder praised his charges saying that the new-look team has all the ingredients to prove a tough opposition. “Look, these players have grown up playing T20 cricket and as such they know the value and requirements of the game.”

Bracewell opined that T20 cricket is all about entertainment, by taking wickets and sending the ball beyond boundaries. “I am hopeful that these requirements will be fully met by the young-looking NZ team. T20 cricket is all about an aggressive style of play. This New Zealand squad has fresh ideas as to how to play the shortest version of the game. What I want from team members is to go out and showcase their best game on the field.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand team received an injury jolt ahead of the team’s departure to Pakistan. Finn Allen (back injury) and Adam Milne (ankle injury) have been ruled out of the five-match T20 series against Pakistan. Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell and all-rounder Zak Foulkes have been called into the squad as replacements.

Cricket website Cricinfo quoted New Zealand coach Gary Stead as saying: “We feel for both Finn and Adam, suffering injuries so close to the start of the tour. They have been strong performers for us in the T20 format since the last World Cup.

“Our support staff and medical networks will be working closely with both players over the next few weeks to complete plans for their treatment and subsequent return to cricket.

“Zak has had an impressive season for Canterbury including being their leading wicket-taker in all three competitions,” Stead said. “He has displayed impressive skills with the ball, particularly in T20 cricket, for the Kings. We also know he has skills with the bat and it will be an excellent opportunity for him to be part of the group.”

Meanwhile, the hosts are expected to start their training from Monday with the New Zealand team yet to confirm their training schedule. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan called up fast bowlewr Muhammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim for the series against New Zealand.

“Amir and Imad possess undeniable match-winning capabilities, and we trust they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team’s objectives,” Pakistan’s selection committee member Wahab Riaz said in a statement.

The five-match series against New Zealand will also see Babar Azam begin his new captaincy stint with Pakistan. Azam was announced as Pakistan’s white-ball skipper in March, 4-1/2 months after the batter stepped down as their all-format captain in the wake of their poor performance at the one-day international World Cup in India.

Pakistan also called up uncapped batters Muhammad Irfan Khan andUsman Khan. Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohmmad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.