KARACHI: Former skipper Wasim Bari firmly believes that Pakistan’s chances in the cricket World Cup hugely depends on their rapid adaptability to the conditions Down Under.

“Acclimatising to conditions in Australia and New Zealand holds the key for good performance in the premier 14-nation one-day contest,” Bari said in an interview on Friday.

Bari said pitches and conditions in Australia and New Zealand were completely different from Pakistan’s and adapting to them will be of vital importance for Pakistan.

He however considered that the real test of the team starts from the quarter-finals stage.

“Pakistan is almost certain to play the last-eight stage. However, from that stage the green-shirts cannot afford even a small mistake,” he pointed out.

Bari, who featured in the first three editions of the World Cup in England in 1975, 1979 and 1983, said the pitches in New Zealand will have more swing while the tracks in Australia are bouncier across the Tasman sea.

He said the team may face some difficulties in matches against India, West Indies and South Africa.

“Despite keeping in view the unpredictability of cricket, Pakistan should win their matches against Ireland, UAE and Zimbabwe,” he said.

Wasim, a veteran of 81 Test matches, opined that Pakistan should easily go through the quarter-final.

He added that Pakistan players should try to give their best performance if they want to play the final and win it just like the 1992 edition.

“We must play innovative, attacking and quality cricket to repeat history because nothing can be achieved by stereotype game,” he maintained.

“However, the going will not be easy from the quarter-finals because the best eight will be in the fray,” Pakistan’s greatest wicket-keeper remarked.

He wanted Misbah to adopt attacking mindset and fearless approach as a captain which he demonstrated during the record-breaking fastest Test century against Australia.

“Pakistan team needed that kind of approach in all areas of the game with Misbah leading from the front,” he stressed.

He said young guns like Ahmed Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed are capable of performing the role of match changer with Shahid Afridi to play main role as leg-spinner.

However, taking singles, doubles and three runs on long boundaries will be very important for building a good score.

He said performance of top-order batting will be of great significance.

“Role of Ahmed Shehzad, Hafeez, Younis and Misbah will be vital. We cannot build a good total without a good start,” he said.

“Losing quick wickets at the top will put our middle-order under pressure. Pakistan must overcome this problem,” he added.

Bari was of the view that Pakistan had to show top-class fielding besides consistent batting and bowling.

“Keeping super-fitness throughout the six-week competition will be very challenging,” he said.

He said losing Junaid Khan before flying to New Zealand is a big setback for Pakistan bowling.

He said Pakistan got a formidable bowling attack if they showed their true potential on favourable tracks.

Bari, who played his last ODI at the Adelaide Oval in January 1984, said that pitch at this ground is good for batting.

Pakistan will clash old foes India in their opening match of the World Cup on Feb 15.

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

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