DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC — Two Pakistani players who campaigned in this year’s Caribbean Premier League are backing their side to upset West Indies in their three-match Twenty20 International series starting Friday.
Batsman Shoaib Malik, who turned out for Barbados Tridents and left-arm spinner Imad Wasim who represented eventual champions Jamaica Tallawahs, both agreed that while the Caribbean side would start as favourites, Pakistan had the ability to spring a surprise.
“In T20, West Indies are the best in the world, and have very good cricketers,” said Shoaib, who has become a staple in the CPL for the Bridgetown-based franchise now owned by Indian multi-millionaire Vijay Mallya.
“But we have good cricketers, too, and we are playing in our home conditions, so that is going to give us a slight extra edge.
“We have prepared well. We did well against England in England (earlier this month), and we have confidence from that.”
The veteran 34-year-old Shoaib will provide the experience in an otherwise inexperienced but exciting Pakistani squad which will be led by Sarfraz Ahmed and includes the likes of Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif and Wasim.
They were good enough to trounce England by nine wickets in a one-off Twenty20 International and Wasim believes once Pakistan play at their optimum, West Indies could be in for a shock.
“I played CPL and it is clear they have a lot of talent. They are near the top of the world rankings and the world champions, so you can’t take them easy,” the 27-year-old Wasim said.
“They’re a very good side, but if we play to our potential, we can beat any side in the world. We beat England convincingly, and they were World Cup finalists.
“I personally want the team to be consistent.”
