TORONTO Given the unpredictability of the format, as Australian Test wicket-keeping great Rodney Marsh says the forthcoming World Twenty20 is wide open, ex-Pakistan Test opener Mudassar hopes the recent crisis in Pakistan cricket will not affect the national team who will be looking to defend the crown in the West Indies. Twenty20 is altogether a different game and every team has equal chance to win it, they said while talking to Dawn on Monday night.
Mudassar, a former Pakistan Test all-rounder and Marsh of Australia, are currently in Toronto to train young Canadians.
Mudassar, who also taught bowling and batting skills to local players at the recently concluded training camp here, expressed similar views about the budding Canadians.
When he was told that Pakistanis were on top after clinching the 2009 World Twenty20 in England but later they became zero from hero, especially after the disastrous Australian tour earlier this year, Mudassar said the reorganised team of his country has great chance of retaining the title.
“I know Pakistan were in crisis but I don't think this will affect their performance. Moreover, Pakistanis are very strong in the Twenty20 format.”
Mudassar noted Pakistan have two brilliant spinners in their ranks — Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi — who can make a difference in the middle overs while pacers Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir are capable of launching a lethal attack.
“Then we have an accomplished all-rounder in Abdul Razzaq who can provide strength to the team,” he said, adding, “What the team needs is a good score in every match and I think our batsmen should not be under pressure because they will be facing only 20 overs.”
Referring to Gilchrist's comment, Mudassar said both India and Pakistan have been impressive in Twenty20 competitions and hoped they would do well in the West Indies.
Talking about Australia's chances in the West Indies extravaganza, the former Pakistan Test cricketer said generally their top players don't feature in Twenty20. “However, we have to wait and see what preparations the Aussies have made for the coming World Twenty20 event.”
Marsh asserted it would be difficult for any expert to predict the outcome of this tournament.
“In Twenty20 tournament anything can happen and any team can win the title,” said Marsh, one of the most successful wicket-keepers in the game.
Adam Gilchrist, another former Australia Test wicket-keeper, said recently that both India and Pakistan were major contenders for the World Twenty20 beginning in the West Indies on April 30.
Mudassar agreed with Gilchrist's assessment while Marsh said Adam has better idea about this game.
“In my opinion, however, the team fights the best on the day will win,” added the Australian who was involved in the vigorous eight-day training for Canadian players here.
Marsh, who was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame last year, found many Canadians highly talented and said with more training and coaching these youngsters could make their mark in world cricket.
