T20 kings Pakistan geared up to take on New Zealand

Abu Dhabi - New dad Shoaib Malik to play in Abu Dhabi match confirms skipper Sarfraz

Twenty20's undisputed kings Pakistan will play New Zealand in their new assignment on a tricky Abu Dhabi wicket. It will be an exciting contest between an experienced hunt club led by Sarfraz Ahmed and wily Kiwis, who haven't had any international action for some seven months.
On Wednesday, Pakistan will be playing their fourth T20 match in eight days. However, with a 3-0 whitewash of Australia, Sarfraz isn't complaining about the lack of rest and the grin on his face remained intact during the pre-match Press conference on Tuesday.
There was more reason to celebrate as Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik were blessed with a baby boy. "It is a joyous occasion for the family and us. Shoaib Malik will join the team on Wednesday morning. He will be available for the training sessions and will also play the match," Sarfraz noted.
The skipper rated Australian's T20 side as stronger than New Zealand but said the Kiwis had enough firepower to put up a fight.
"Our full focus is on this very important series. New Zealand, a tough side, have performed well in T20 scene. We will try and keep the momentum going as the first match of the series is an important one. We will try to start with a win as this will ensure a good series. Australia have match winners in the side like Glenn Maxwell who can change the course of the match. Likewise, New Zealand too got Colin Munro and Kane Williamson and a battery of strong pacers in Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee. With all these players in it's ranks, New Zealand got a strong squad."
Pakistan secured their 10th consecutive T20 series victory defeating Australia 3-0 and Sarfraz said it was all due to a fit side performing well on the field.
"Our fitness and fielding are much better than other teams. The X factor in our team is that we have lot of youngsters, who are eager to perform. Fielding is the main difference and it has improved tremendously in this format. We are an extraordinary fielding unit, taking right catches at the right time. We also inflicted key run outs."
He said after the whitewash of Australia the responsibility to keep the winning run going has increased.
"In T20, the team which performs better on the day wins. T20 is a difficult format and every day you have to play at top level. And we will try and do just that in this series."
Apart from an injured Fakhar Zaman missing out and Shaheen Shah Afridi back, Pakistan have the same squad which demolished Australia. Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Williamson acknowledged Pakistan as the strongest team in T20 scene but said they were up for the challenge.
"Pakistan are extremely strong in these conditions. Their world rankings suggest that as well. They have had a lot of success in recent times. We know it is a tough challenge but one that we are looking forward to. We look to play our best cricket."
The skipper said despite seven-month gap in international scene, the boys had been part of franchise cricket and were very excited to get going. "It is really important for us to adjust well with both bat and ball," he said on nature of Abu Dhabi wicket.
The T20 action starts at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com