ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Thursday said the team’s upcoming matches on New Zealand’s bouncy pitches will help the green shirts prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
Pakistan will take on Bangladesh at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday. The two teams and New Zealand will play a tri-nation series till October 14, a couple of days before the ICC T20 World Cup kicks off in Australia this month.
Pakistan’s skipper Azam and his team have recently come under fire for losing the Asia Cup 2022 final to Sri Lanka and the recently concluded seven-match T20I series against England. On more than one occasion, Pakistani batters were troubled by English pacers and their bouncers.
Pitches in Australia, compared to the UAE and the subcontinent, are bouncier and favor fast bowlers.
“Conditions here [in New Zealand] are very similar to the ones in Australia,” Azam said during a press conference. “Playing on these bouncy pitches will help us prepare for the World Cup.”
The Pakistani batter said his team would immensely benefit from the tri-nation series in New Zealand, adding that no opponent is an easy one in T20 cricket.
“New Zealand have always proven to be a difficult opponent in home conditions,” he said. “They have experienced players like Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult,” Azam added.
He spoke about Pakistan’s recent loss to England as well.
“We tried different combinations during the England series, which helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses,” Azam said.
Pakistan will take on New Zealand on Saturday, October 8, before playing New Zealand and Bangladesh on October 11 and 13 respectively.
The final of the tri-nation series has been scheduled for Friday, October 14.
