ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Shan Masood said on Saturday that playing England, one of the best white-ball cricket sides in the world, would be the “ideal preparation” for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.
England arrived earlier this week in Pakistan to play a historic seven-match T20I series against the green shirts. England last toured Pakistan in 2005 to play three Tests and five ODIs. However, a militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009 kept drove international cricket away from Pakistan’s shores due to security concerns.
Pakistan will kick off their bid for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. The last time the two sides met in a T20 World Cup contest, Pakistan thrashed India by 10 wickets in Dubai, in 2021.
In a press conference days before Pakistan take on England in the first T20 match in Karachi, Masood said it was an exciting time to be a Pakistani cricketer and a privilege to be playing against a strong side like England.
“It’s probably the ideal preparation to play one of the best sides in the world before the T20 World Cup,” Masood said. “So, I think we are very glad to be playing a side like England.”
Masood said English players like Alex Hales, Moeen Ali and others have played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) hence Pakistan are fully aware of their potential. “They are one of the best white-ball sides in the world and they will pose a very good challenge for us,” he added.
In response to another question, Masood said he wasn’t preparing to be Pakistan’s future captain. “This is my first representation for Pakistan in T20 cricket, I have to keep this in mind, I have to celebrate this first,” he said. “Whatever happens in future is not in my hands.”
Masood heaped praise on Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, saying that the national squad was currently in great hands. “Probably Pakistan’s greatest ever batsman is leading Pakistan,” he said. “So, I never entertain these thoughts [about captaincy].”
