ISLAMABAD (APP) – Former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim has expressed hope that Pakistan team will play with the same passion and zeal in the One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka as they did in the recently ended test series.
“The morale of the team is high. Players look in good spirit and I hope they will repeat their test performance in ODI series too,” he told APP. The ODI series between the two countries will begin from July 11.
Qasim said our team’s morale and confidence level has been boosted from the Test series win. “I hope the team will play with the same spirit and confidence in the ODI series,” he said.
“The selection of the team is according to merit and I’m sure players will not disappoint the nation,” said Qasim, who twice served as chairman of selectors – first for a brief period in 2009-10 and then for 16 months in 2012-13.
He said the Sri Lankan team would come hard in the ODI series after their defeat in the final Test. “Our players are capable of pulling off victories from any point in the game as they are unpredictable,” he said.
Qasim said he has high expectations from Yasir Shah. “He is an outstanding bowler and he should bowl with the same line and length in the ODI series,” he said.
“We need to set up good totals on the score board to pressure the Lankans,” he said adding all players need to perform well.
Qasim pointed that Shan Masood wouldn’t have been able to develop his incredible innings in the finat Test without the support and feedback of his partner Younis.
Qasim said players should also be concerned about their fitness as it is the most important thing for a player to continue his game. “Age does not matter but fitness does,” he said.
He said Sarfraz Ahmad displayed good performance in the tests and same is also expected from him in ODIs.
