KARACHI, Sept 22: Stressing Pakistan’s strong bowling department will play key role in the ongoing World Twenty20, former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail on Saturday reckoned Mohammad Hafeez-led side have the potential to win their tournament opener against New Zealand in Pallekele on Sunday.

“Pakistan, due to their quality bowling, have bright chances of overcoming New Zealand. And though the Kiwis outclassed Bangladesh in their opening game, I believe Pakistan possess much better potential to handle Ross Taylor and company,” Aamir said while talking to Dawn.

“Though New Zealand have enough firepower in their batting, facing Pakistan’s bowling having considerable strength and variety will be totally different from tackling Bangladesh,” he noted.

On picking the second strike bowler to back off-spin wizard Saeed Ajmal, Aamir said Pakistan’s pace department would have a major role to play.

“Our fast bowlers have the ability to create problems for the opposition. And I guess Umar Gul’s show given his outstanding T20 record will be crucial.”

Cricketers like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Shane Watson, David Warner, Virat Kohli, Luke Wright, A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla can change the course of a top-class T20 match within no time. Aamir responded in affirmative on whether Pakistan also had players who could win games single-handedly.

“Pakistan also have game-changers like Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal who have the ability to steer their side to victory,” the former left-handed opener stated.

Seeing veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s primary role in Sunday’s game as a bowler, Aamir reckoned aggressive opener Imran Nazir should also come good after getting several opportunities, to give stability in the top order with Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed.

Meanwhile Moin Khan, another former Pakistan captain and wicket-keeper, insisted that fielding could prove to be the decisive factor in the Pakistan-New Zealand game.

“Though Pakistan have the flair to overpower New Zealand, I strongly feel Kiwis have a clear edge over Pakistan in fielding,” Moin told Dawn.

“And unlike Pakistan New Zealand have already got the ‘feel of the tournament’ after playing their opening game [against Bangladesh] which will give Taylor and his players slightly more confidence.”

Moin, who advised Pakistan camp to embrace belligerence in the World T20, emphasised captain’s attitude towards his players would be crucial.

“Pakistan should play strong, attacking cricket as we did under Imran Khan in the 1992 World Cup.

“Moreover, Hafeez with a clear frame of mind should decide a definite playing eleven right from the first match of the tournament till the last [with changes to be made only in case of injuries] because chop-and-change stance indicates a captain’s lack of confidence in his players.

“A set-playing-eleven stance of the captain will increase his players’ self-belief and the entire Pakistan team in the World Twenty20 will give their maximum output.

“Imran bhai used to stick to his playing XI, and with this approach he even made some ordinary cricketers give top performances,” Moin stated.