Hassan confident of bringing trophy home

Bowler aims to achieve victory for team, be it against India or New Zealand

Hassan Ali has said that there was a hype around encounters against India and New Zealand and that the team would try their level best to start the tournament by winning the opening fixtures.

While talking to journalists in an online press conference, Hassan Ali said, “Pressure of the mega event is there but we are hoping to perform and get the pressure off our shoulders by getting to winning ways. Not only do we have to beat India, but we also have to beat New Zealand,” said Hassan.

UAE has always offered slow pitches and high scores are a rarity. “160-70 is considered to be a winning total keeping in view the pitches and playing conditions,” he added. Talking about his role, he said that he will be up for any role either be it death bowling or bowling with the new ball. “I will be ready to put in the shift and help my team win matches.” Hassan described the changing of coaches prior to the T20 World Cup as ‘bad luck’.

“Management shouldn’t have changed before the mega event,” he remarked, adding that Waqar Younus should have been present.

“We have no control over management changes, which is unfortunate,” Hassan added. “I’ve met Vernon Philander, and while he hasn’t played much T20 cricket, he is still a terrific bowler,” he added.

The squad still has time, according to Hassan, and they will work on whatever areas require improvement.

“The team is very balanced and competitive and we will try to bring the trophy home,” said Hassan.

Talking about fitness he said that the team was fit and in good spirits. “We still have time and are working very hard in the nets to work on anything which we are lacking,” he said.

Hassan was of the view that the late changes to the squad won’t make much of a difference as all the players have been playing together and won’t take much time to gel along.

Meanwhile, Green Shirts took part in the National High-Performance Center’s inaugural practice session (NHPC). Players will practice till October 14 before flying to the UAE the next day. On October 18 and 20, Pakistan will play two warm-up games against the West Indies and South Africa.