Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez is certain his side can deliver outstanding performances in back-to-back Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against England on Thursday and Friday at the Dubai International Stadium, a venue he describes as the “best” to play at in the game’s shortest format.
And he backs the team to bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-1 One-Day International (ODI) series loss as the side looks to cement its spot towards the top of the ICC rankings and win what he calls the tour’s “decider”.
“We have been winning in the Twenty20 format, like we have been winning in Test matches,” he said after Pakistan’s 64-run victory against Hong Kong in a warm-up match at the ICC Academy.
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“I believe this team has got more skills in Twenty20 (than in One-Day Internationals), we are more combined as a team because we have been playing with each other (in this format) over the last couple of years.
“I feel we will put up a better show (than in the ODI series).”
After Pakistan won the three-match Test series 2-0 and England bounced back in the ODI series, Hafeez said the T20Is would decide which team would leave the United Arab Emirates with bragging rights at the end of two months of action.
“We beat England comprehensively in the Tests and that is something very special for us,” he said.
“The One-Day loss was a defeat, no doubt, (but) now it is the Twenty20s, it is 1-1 in the (overall tour) series so this is the decider.
“I believe Twenty20 is a format that gives more enjoyment to the fans and the players enjoy it a lot in that format (too).
“It will allow us to go out and express ourselves so hopefully the passion will come (from us),” he added.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez not willing to be part of Mohammad Amir’s side: https://t.co/XqN1v1FFgQ pic.twitter.com/Ri69eS5Mvn
— Sport360° (@Sport360) November 22, 2015
Hafeez played down the idea that Pakistan will suffer a hangover from the ODI series loss.
“(On the field) you do good things and bad things but whatever it is, it is in the past,” he said.
“You always think about the future with a positive mindset (and) as a team we are thinking very positively. Whatever happened (in the ODI series), it is history.
“We believe this (Twenty20 International) team will bring better results for Pakistan cricket.”
Pakistan currently lies second in the ICC T20I rankings, just four rating points behind Sri Lanka, and famously won the ICC World Twenty20 title in England in 2009.
And Hafeez added that he and his team-mates were looking forward to playing again at the Dubai International Stadium, a venue that has staged more Twenty20 Internationals than any other in world cricket.
“It is the best ground (for Twenty20s),” he said. “If you are at Lord’s there is no doubt the history is there, if you are in Australia, in Melbourne, you always enjoy (playing) in that ground.
“This ground (at Dubai Sports City) is beautiful. Whenever we come here, the atmosphere in the ground, the buildings inside, it is something very special.
“I hope the first two Twenty20 (Internationals) will give a lot to the fans to watch and enjoy.”
Enjoyed team dinner .. Smiley faces tells the story.. May almighty Allah bless us all always .. Aameen pic.twitter.com/Lh7M7AAQSM
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) November 10, 2015
The Dubai International Stadium has previously sold out for Twenty20 matches – Pakistan’s clashes against Australia in 2012 and 2014, and for all matches it hosted in last year’s Pepsi Indian Premier League.
And with strong sales ahead of the upcoming action, Dubai Sports City General Manager – Sports Business Mr Maqbul Dudhia said the message was clear.
“Buy now or risk missing out,” said Mr Dudhia. “Tickets for these two matches are proving very popular already and we would hate for fans to miss a final chance to see their heroes in action on this tour.
“With the action taking place under our famous Ring of Fire floodlights, the atmosphere is all set to be special and the two nights will be fantastic occasions,” he added.
