Pakistan can win if top order fires: Miandad by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan
Event:	ICC World Twenty20 2009

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DateLine: 21st June 2009

 

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said he feels Pakistan winning the coveted T20 WC title will depend on the top order firing on all cylinders against Sri Lanka in the final.

 

"I still say T20 cricket is very unpredictable and it is difficult to predict a winner. But from what I have seen those teams do well whose top three or four batsmen score big runs," said Pakistan's former captain.

 

A veteran of 124 Tests, Miandad, who is not a big fan of this short format said Pakistan had done well to promote Shahid Afridi up the order which gives him a chance to have a proper bat.

 

"I have worked with Afridi as the national team coach in the past and he has always delivered his best as a batsman when batting higher up the order. He has immense talent and is a proper match winner," Miandad said.

 

The former great pointed out that the top order must take responsibility for giving the team a good start in the final.

 

"Sri Lanka is a very good side and unbeaten in the tournament. They have been given great starts by Tillekeratne Dilshan who has been their biggest plus point," he said.

 

Miandad had no hesitation in saying that the Pakistan batsmen are quite capable of handling the Sri Lankan spin duo of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan.

 

"They have played a lot against Muralitharan and they know Mendis well. I think the secret to success in T20 cricket is to decide beforehand which bowler to target in the 20 overs," Miandad said. He praised the leadership of Younis Khan and said the captain had led by example by scoring runs and showing the courage to take positive decisions.

 

The Kumar Sangakkara led outfit had beaten Pakistan in the earlier group match and history has been testimonial to the fact that the two teams have had a number of close matches.