‘Fit-again’ Sohaib eyes rhythm before World Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan’s talented batsman Sohaib Maqsood on Thursday made it clear that he had no injury issue and wanted to play positive cricket for the team in the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.
“I have come through a proper fitness regime. I have passed the fitness test and before coming here I played a club match and here too I have played two matches. I don’t have injury problems,” Sohaib said in a news conference here at the National Stadium.
“But it is certainly there when you have not batted for two months and so there may be some deficiency. But I am practising hard. There is still enough time before the World Cup,” the 27-year-old hard-hitting batsman from Multan said.
Sohaib said he was extremely happy to be the part of Pakistan team for the World Cup. “I am very happy that I will represent the team in the mega event for the first time. I have been playing for Pakistan for the last one and a half years barring the series against New Zealand,” said Sohaib, who has played 18 One-day Internationals and 14 T20 Internationals.
Sohaib said he would like to play a major role in the event. “I want to take responsibility and at whichever number I will be sent I will plan accordingly,” he said.
Sohaib expects that he would be used at number five or six. “Mostly in the previous four or five series I have played mostly at number five or six. There is a chance that I will play in the World Cup at this position,” he said.
“In one-day cricket batting at number five or six is very tough because you may face different situations. If wickets fall you have to stabilise the innings. And when major partnerships have been built up, you have to give momentum to the innings,” Sohaib said.
He said the tracks in Australia and New Zealand were not that dangerous. “I haven’t played there but am watching a lot of cricket on television as these days the series between India and Australia is also being held. The pitches there are bouncy but are good for batting,” Sohaib said.
He said the early departure of Pakistan’s team would help them.
“Because we are going well ahead of the World Cup I think we will be able to adjust to the local conditions,” Sohaib said.
He said if Mohammad Hafeez passed the action test it would boost the team’s bowling attack. “Hafeez has played a key role for many years,” he said.
“Our fast bowlers and spinners are good. I think batsmen will have to take responsibility and bowlers will have to deliver in those conditions,” he said.
He said it would give Pakistan an edge if they took their match against India normally. “The match against India will be as important as the other five matches. I think we should not take pressure while facing India. I think the result against India would be good if we played our normal cricket,” he said.
He said that he had liked former batting maestro Inzamam-ul-Haq from childhood and would seek his advice.
Sohaib said playing in a World Cup had a great effect on the players.
“The confidence which a player gains after performing in the mega event is great. One cannot get such confidence by playing in any other event. There is no doubt that World Cup finishes careers of many and make many stars,” he said.