Pak has fair chance to win one-day series: Talat

LAHORE—Pakistan Cricket team manager, Talat Ali Malik said his team has left behind the memories of test loss and is looking forward to a new challenge in one-day series with a higher level of confidence to win the one-day series against South Africa.
"What happened in test is now a saga of past and we have to look ahead with a hope, promise and commitment and I am confident of my team's success in the one-day games ",he told APP on the eve of the first one day here on Wednesday.
Talat said the team has learnt a good lesson from its defeat in the test series but it will not be carrying forward the sad memories and will be displaying a much improved show to do better. Talat termed the squad a best combination of talent having in depth batting and good bowling attack comprising pacers and spinners.
" Obviously we will be badly missing new ball operator, Muhammad Asif who is having injury in elbow but we have Umer Gul,Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanvir who is all set to make debut and then all-rounders Shahid Afridi and captain Shoaib Malik are there to provide a good back-up to the pace bowlers",he said. Talat said the nucleus of Pak batting will be Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousaf and Misbah ul Haq and a lot is expected to be done from openers to give stability to the innings.
" In the middle we have Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Afridi in the presence of such a strong batting line we should be posting decent total to cause problems for opponents to hunt imposing scores", he said.
Team official said Protease is a tough team to beat and it will be endeavouring to maintain its supremacy in the one day games but the home team is all set to thwart their challenge with collective efforts.
" In the second test at Lahore we managed to stay at the crease for over four playing sessions and earned a draw which is a remarkable performance on part of the team and we need to show consistency which will be the key to success ",he said.
Talat said one day is different from test and a quick approach and timely availing of chances is needed to help improve the performance of the team.
" A better approach is needed in fielding to avoid giving away runs and accurate bowling and sensible batting are the key elements which can help achieving success and there should not be any excuse for not delivering in the right direction ",he said.
Answering a question,he said ,though South African team has been reinforced with the arrival of some one day specialists players but this factor is not going to make an impact on Pakistan team.
" We have also some changes in our squad and i see closely contested games as Pak team players are eager and they have been regrouped after a brief break shortly after the test matches ", he said.
" I have one advise for the players to stay calm in the middle and do their best and the way they have shown interest in the training session I am confident we are going to give a surprise to South African side which is in up-beat mood having test success in hand ",he added.—APP