Top-ranked Twenty20 bowler Samuel Badree says Pakistan is a “dangerous” side while the hosts believe world champions West Indies pose a “formidable” threat as the two sides looked ahead to the series in UAE.
“West Indies are a very good Twenty20 team as they are the current world T20 holders. So you can never take them lightly even in conditions like these and the West Indies conditions are similar to conditions here anyway, so they are going to be a formidable opposition and we are going to have to play really well to beat them,” said Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur at a press conference in Dubai on Monday.
The tour opens with three Twenty20 Internationals. The first two matches will be held at the Dubai International Stadium on September 23 and 24.
The series also includes three Tests and three one-day internationals.
Arthur hoped they could carry on the momentum of winning the lone T20 international against England.
“We have played a lot of cricket of late, the players have been playing cricket and whether you are playing one-day cricket or Twenty20 cricket, as long as you are playing the skills are sharp. We have just got to hone those skills, we have four training sessions to get that right. I am confident the guys will be ready. A lot of guys have been playing the domestic competition at home anyway so they have been playing Twenty20 cricket,” he said.
The Pakistan team arrived on Monday evening at Dubai Sports City’s ICC Academy facility for the first training session of their cricket season in the UAE.
Earlier in the day the West Indies team returned to ICC Academy and trained ahead of their warm-up Twenty20 match against the ECB XI on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Badree played down the fact that West Indies are fielding a different unit from the one which won the World T20 title.
“It is a different team from the one that played the World Cup. A few guys are making their debut on this tour. We have been here before, many of us, the heat is quite different to what we are accustomed to. We came a bit early realising we need to acclimatise so within the next week before the first game against Pakistan we will be well adjusted and fit and all players will be ready to go,” he said.
He rated Pakistan a dangerous opposition despite their lack of consistency.
“Pakistan are very similar to us in terms of their consistency or lack of it. One day they give a brilliant performance just like us and the next day there is a lot to be desired. On their day they can demolish any opposition. We are wary of that challenge. We respect every opposition that we come up against and we are going to do the same against Pakistan and we are going to prepare well and execute our plans as best as we can knowing they are a very dangerous team,” said Badree who is raring to go after recovering from injury.
“I think I am hundred per cent and there is no discomfort when I bowl, I am really happy with my fitness and the level of performances thus far. I like to remain the number one T20 bowler in the world, whether mystery or not it does not matter. Just consistency is what I am after,” he added.
Tickets
Fans can purchase their tickets via Kyazoonga.com or by visiting any of more than 50 Al Fardan Exchange outlets across the UAE to make their purchases.
Schedule
Friday September 23 – 1st T20I at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday September 24 – 2nd T20I at Dubai International Stadium
Tuesday September 27 – 3rd T20I at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Friday September 30 – 1st ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Sunday October 2 – 2nd ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Wednesday October 5 – 3rd ODI at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 13-17 – 1st Test (Day/Night) at Dubai International Stadium
October 21-25 – 2nd Test at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 30- November 3 – 3rd Test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium