Getting used to conditions is key, says Arthur

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan success on the New Zealand tour is depends on early acclimatisation to conditions as all the efforts are being made to use the days prior to the One-Day series in the best possible way, claimed Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur during an interview.

Pakistan cricketers had gone through hard training ahead of the side match against New Zealand with Arthur confident of reaping the harvest of the three days of strenuous training.“We have tough three days of training ahead of the only side match and effort had been made to get adjusted to the conditions as early as possible. Our success lies in getting used to the conditions as early as possible and we have done enough in this respect during the last three days.”

Pakistan head coach said that bowlers had been asked to bowl fifteen overs per session to ensure that they were well on track. Arthur admitted that for batsmen it had never been easy to adapt to the conditions early.

“Early days have been really testing for batters as it has never been easier to get in the best mold so early on the track. Following three days of training session, things are much better now.”

He also claimed that outside the sub-continent batsman’s defense holds the key. “In testing conditions it is the defense that holds the key outside the sub-continent. Which ball to play and which to leave is the strategy that counts for a batsman. Efforts have been made to overcome that issue in the shortest possible time available before the start of the series.”

Pakistan series against New Zealand starts with the opening One-Dayer at Wellington but before that team will be up against New Zealand XI at the picturesque Saxton Oval (Nelson).“The practice match on Wednesday would give us early clue as whether the hard work we have done is paying off.”Arthur admitted that it has never been easier for a team to come straight to New Zealand and start performing immediately.

“I have to admit that the series is tough and demanding but at the same time I am hopeful of performing and confident that our batters are capable enough to face one of the best seam attack that New Zealand has these days.”The head coach added that unlike West Indies, Pakistan were all set to give New Zealand a tough fight.

“I can ensure you that Pakistan would not be pushovers. New Zealand would have to play well to win and they would not find winning easy against the Greenshirts.”The head coach said if Pakistan would play to their potential they could match New Zealand in every department. “I assure you we can match in every department. It all depends on how early we get used to the conditions.”

Arthur said he believed in consistency and the team that would play in the side match today (Wednesday) includes Fakhar Zaman, Azhar Ali, Babar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Aamir and Ruman Raees.