DUBAI – Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez Tuesday urged his team to improve while chasing ahead of next week's World Twenty20, saying it was a concern despite winning against Australia. Pakistan clinched the three-match Twenty20 series 2-1 but was humiliated by 94 runs in the third and final match here Monday, shot out for its lowest Twenty20 score of 74. Pakistan's previous lowest total was 89 against England at Cardiff in 2010. Only Nasir Jamshed (17), Yasir Arafat (15) and Abdul Razzaq (13) could reach double figures as Australian paceman Mitchell Starc (3-11) and Pat Cummins (3-15) ran through the Pakistan batting line-up. Razzaq and Arafat shared the highest partnership of the innings with 20, taking Pakistan past the lowest total in all Twenty20 – 67 by Kenya against Canada in Belfast in 2008. Earlier, Warner made a 34-ball 59 with six sixes and a four and Watson hammered five sixes and a boundary during his 32-ball 47 to put on Australia's best opening stand of 111 in all T20s after it was put into bat. Hafeez said Pakistan panicked while chasing a target of 169. “There is a concern in chasing a target but I am confident that we will improve and do well in the World Twenty20,” said Hafeez of the 12-team competition which begins in Sri Lanka from Sept. 18. Hafeez warned that Pakistan still needs to find an extra gear when needed. “We must lift our energy levels while we chase,” said Hafeez. “Despite losing the third game I can confidently say that there is a happy feeling within the camp and we are gearing up for the mega event.” Pakistan is placed in Group D of the World Twenty20 along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. “Our momentum is good and we want to carry over that winning momentum,” said Hafeez. “Twenty20 cricket is all about doing right things at the right time and I am sure the boys will do that.” Hafeez backed the returning opener Imran Nazir who managed scores of 22, nought and one in the three matches against Australia. “Nazir is a Twenty20 specialist and I am confident of his talent. He will surely be disappointed with his efforts so far but hopefully he will do well in the World Twenty20,” said Hafeez. Hafeez's counterpart, George Bailey said he was satisfied with his team. “We have worked really hard, so to get the reward of a victory and see that the things we are working on are actually coming to fruition, I think that's really important for us,” said Bailey. Australia, losing finalists in the last World Twenty20 in 2010 held in the West Indies, slid to tenth in Twenty20 rankings after the series defeat. “I think Pakistan are an unbelievable side, and at their best they can play some great cricket and at our best we can play some great cricket.” Both teams flew to Sri Lanka early Tuesday. Miandad to assist Pakistan batsmen Pakistan's former Test captain and prolific batsman Javed Miandad will join the national team in Sri Lanka to give batting tips ahead of the World Twenty20 this month. “He has been given a special assignment for a short period before the start of the World Cup,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said. Miandad, 55, will not interfere with the work of current boss Dav Whatmore but will instead concentrate on any individual batting niggles following a series of recent collapses. — Agencies
