We will be aiming to series victory: Smith

LAHORE—South African Cricket Captain, Graeme Smith said his team will be playing the second test against Pakistan to strike a win to achieve the objective of a series victory.
“ We are already 1-0 up in the two match series and the success is a big motivation for us and we are hungary to win the second test and the series “,he told reporters at a pre match press conference on Sunday.
Smith said the victory at Karachi has infused a new confidence in his team which will be going into the second test with a sole aim to strike another victory for a series win.
He said it is not easy to win a test match or a series in sub-continent where conditions are quite different and competition becomes tough. “ We had a happy beginning and we want to continue it by showing consistency and our targets are clear for the second test “,he said.
Smith pointed out that some players including pacer Andre Nel and vice captian Ashwell Prince are on injury list due to smoatch and groin problems. “ These are not alarming signs hopefully they will be fit for the match “.
The South African captain said his team is in good confidence to go for a victory to maintain the flow of success which could only be possible by playing high quality cricket both by batsmen and bowlers.
He said Pakistan are a tough rival to beat in their own backyard and they can give surprise to any team of the world. “ They are a equally good rivals and with Inzamam ul Haq and Muhammad Yousaf back in the middle order the task will be more difficult for us but we are fully committed to overcome all the hurdles we face “,he asserted.
“We will be having special plans to counter these players (Inzi and Yousaf) because we will be facing a big challenge in them”,he said.
“We have a great chance to win the series and I think we are all hungry for it and we will be doing our best for achieving a collective cause “,said the South African captain.
“ We are here to play positive cricket , the way we did in Karachi and we are here to win the series and we are right in that direction “, he maintained.
Smith said winning the toss has its own significance in many ways to decide the match in view how his team bats or bowls. “ I believe first three days of the match will be crucial and if we manage to score big total the way we did in Karachi then things can be easier for us and by that way we can put pressure on Pakistan “,he said.
Smith said he had a look at the pitch which seems to have some bounce and if little grass was left on it will be a good wicket. “ What I know about my team is that it is gearing up, showing improvement and progress and by that way we can achieve set goals “,he said adding “ Jacques Kallis played some good innings in Karachi and I hope he will be able to maintain consistency and other guys will be following him “.
He said Pakistan has good bowling attack and their bowlers can cause danger by exploiting the wicket. “ It is going to an exciting match and we are all set to counter a tough opponent”, he said.—Online