Run-hungry Pakistan eye big win against UAE today

NAPIER, New Zealand: Pakistan are hoping to translate a “happy mood” in their dressing room into a much-needed big win against UAE in their World Cup match here at the picturesque McLean Park on Wednesday (today).
The 1992 champions seemed down and almost out following morale-shattering losses against India and West Indies but a hard-fought victory against Zimbabwe has given them a new lease of life.
But fully aware that they are still in an uncertain situation because of a dismal net run-rate, Pakistan will be eyeing a comprehensive victory against lowly UAE.
But it is unlikely to be a cakewalk against a side that has batted impressively in two of its previous World Cup games especially because Pakistan’s own batting has been pretty unconvincing in the tournament so far.
The signals coming from the Pakistan camp suggest that they might retain the combination that prevailed against Zimbabwe in Brisbane.
However, there is a big question mark on the form of opener Nasir Jamshed, who has flopped in back-to-back outings against West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan can play stumper Sarfraz Ahmed but the fact that Umar Akmal continued to train on Tuesday with his gloves on suggested otherwise.
UAE crumbled against the spin of R Ashwin in a World Cup mismatch in Perth and that could become a reason for Pakistan to finally recall leggie Yasir Shah.
The last time Pakistan played at McLean Park, which is considered the most batting-friendly venue in New Zealand, the hosts piled up 369 runs against them.
The weather forecast predicts a pleasant day with clear skies which means that the conditions should be perfect for a high-scoring game.
Nine members of the 15-man UAE squad are of Pakistani origin but their all-rounder Amjad Javed declared that it won’t stop them for going all out for an upset victory against the Green-shirts.
“We are representing the UAE, so it doesn’t matter like if you are Pakistani playing against Pakistan. We will play as UAE, so we will give 100% against them,” Amjad said.
“We have been playing good cricket and hope to cause an upset (against Pakistan),” he added.
Misbah, meanwhile, said that having played extensively in the UAE the players of the two teams are familiar with each other.
“We know most of their players. They’ve been playing with our players even in Dubai. Most of our players played the league games and their domestic games there. I think they know our players very well and we know them very well,” he said.
Today’s battle will pit the two oldest captains — Misbah-ul-Haq (40) and Tauqir Ahmed (43) — in the World Cup against each other.
Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is just two runs short of reaching the 8000-run mark, will be hoping to get there after falling for a duck against Zimbabwe.