Tour of Zimbabwe an opportunity to continue preparation towards Asia Cup and World Cup, says Mickey Arthur

Pakistan will be playing a T20I triangular series, that also includes Australia, before taking on the host in a 5-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

Mickey Arthur (AFP)

Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has come out and stated that the upcoming limited overs tour to Zimbabwe is another opportunity for his team to continue to try and get better with the goal to try and win next year's ICC Cricket World Cup in England. Arthur has stated the Sarfraz Ahmed led side will look to give chances to the talented youngsters in the side ahead of scheduled Asia Cup in UAE this September, as part of their ambitious plans for the marquee event in the country they unexpectedly won the 2017 Champions Trophy in. 

As Pakistan arrived on the scenic Zimbabwean shores, Arthur was quoted saying to The Herald as, “Our expectation is just to keep growing. We have got a young team and we just want to keep working and keep getting better,” 

’We have set some really good standards over the last year and we just want to keep maintaining those all the time. I think it’s going to be a great series for all teams. Zimbabwe are building up as well so it’s going to be a great series for everybody and I think will be some pretty competitive cricket.”

Pakistan plays the T20I triangular series, that also includes Australia, first but it is the 5-match ODI tussle that Arthur is targetting to try a few things. 

He said, “We are looking forward to it (the ODI series). It gives us an opportunity to have a look at different combinations. We are trying some new players in that format,”

“It gives us an opportunity of looking at combinations before we select our team for the Asia Cup and then that leads us into the World Cup. This tour is going to be very good in terms of one-day cricket to have a look at our combinations before we make a final decision going forward to the World Cup.”

(Inputs from Cricket 360)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 30 Jun, 2018

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