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Pakistan speeds up World Cup preparation

LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistan hit top gear in preparing for next year’s World Cup with former great Javed Miandad giving special coaching to faltering batsmen in a week-long training camp that began Wednesday.

Pakistan tour New Zealand for three Twenty20 matches, two Tests and six one-day internationals before the February 19-April 2 World Cup to be jointly hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

Manager Intikhab Alam said the camp is the final phase of Pakistan’s preparation and Miandad’s involvement would be a boost.

‘It’s a great chance for the youngsters to get useful training from Miandad in this final phase of our training for the World Cup.

‘And I am confident that first in New Zealand and then in the World Cup this team will achieve the best results,’ Alam told AFP.

Pakistan’s one-day captain Shahid Afridi last week expressed dissatisfaction in preparations for the World Cup with key players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer suspended on charges of spot-fixing.

Pakistan are also uncertain of the selection of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik who are reportedly under suspicion for match-fixing.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt announced Miandad will serve as batting consultant during the camp in the eastern city of Lahore.

‘Miandad has agreed to be batting consultant and help out the players in the camp but he will let us know in a few days’ time if he is going to New Zealand with the team as well,’ Butt said.

Former paceman Waqar Younis remains head coach of the team.

Miandad said he was happy to help batsmen ahead of the event. Pakistan crashed out of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and the 2007 tournament in the West Indies in the first round, mainly because of batting failures.

‘I am always ready to help the Pakistan team in any way because Pakistan cricket has given me a lot.

‘I hope that they improve their batting and achieve better results in the World Cup,’ said Miandad, whose batting helped Pakistan clinch their only World Cup title in Australia in 1992.

Pakistan finish their tour of New Zealand on February 5 and after a week’s rest fly to Bangladesh for two World Cup warm-up matches.

They open their World Cup campaign with a match against Kenya on February 23 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.