Thaindian News

St. Lucia, April 19 (ANI): Pakistan’s Caribbean tour is a golden opportunity for youngsters in the squad to establish their cricket careers, team manager Intikhab Alam has said.

Pakistan’s limited-overs squad for the West Indies tour includes five players yet to play for the senior team- wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, batsman Usman Salahuddin, allrounder Hammad Azam and pacers Sadaf and Junaid Khan- apart from other youngsters like batsmen Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal and bowler Wahab Riaz.

“We’ve brought some youngsters with us and I think it’s a golden opportunity for them to make a name for themselves, to make a career in the sport,” the Daily Times quoted Intikhab, as saying.

“Umar Akmal has special talent. The people of the Caribbean will like the way he plays because he’s so entertaining and hits the ball exceptionally, he added.

Pakistan, considered underdogs before the start of the 2011 World Cup, made it to the last four stage of the tournament before their campaign ended in a 29-run defeat at the hands of India in the semi final clash at Mohali on March 30.

“Now after the semi-final finish at the World Cup, the expectations are even higher for this tour because we have never won a series out here before. Overall, all the boys need to put in the hard work, commitment and discipline for us to leave the Caribbean happy,” Intikhab said.

Pakistan, who arrived in the West Indies on Friday, had their first training session in St Lucia on Saturday, and will play their first one-dayer of the five-match ODI series on April 23.

“It was a long journey from Pakistan, but we travelled well and the boys are well,” said Intikhab, who played the last of his 47 Tests at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad in 1977.

“We enjoy touring the Caribbean. I personally have spent a lot of time here and cherish the friendship of greats like Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd and others,” he added. (ANI)