LAHORE
\nEmphasising that winning the T20 World Cup was the primary target of the team, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday said his main focus was to handle pressure inside the ground.
\n\u201c[Fast bowler] Mohammad Amir and I have returned to international cricket [by coming out of retirement] with one clear goal and that is to win the T20 World Cup,\u201d Imad said while taking to reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium where the Babar Azam-led Pakistan squad started the national camp on Saturday.
\n\u201cReaching the final or even semi-final is a massive achievement, no doubt. But unfortunately, the losing finalist team is not remembered, only the champion side is kept in mind.
\n\u201cI firmly believe that if we combine well and play to our full potential, no team can beat us.\u201d
\nPakistan after the three-day camp are scheduled to leave for the T20 tours to Ireland and England later this month. The twin tour will prepare the green-shirts for the all-important T20 World Cup being staged in the US and West Indies from June 1-29.
\nAnswering a question regarding his role in bowling, the 35-year-old Imad said he was ready for any task given by the team management.
\n\u201cI am preparing for any role which maybe given to me. Opening the bowling or operating in the middle overs, it\u2019s not a problem for me,\u201d the slow left-arm orthodox spinner said.
\n\u201cIf the [players\u2019] roles become clearer before the World Cup, it will be better for the team.\u201d
\nHe continued, \u201cThe playing conditions at the World Cup will be different as strong winds, particularly in West Indies, do impact the game there. I have experienced this while playing in the Caribbean Premier League.\u201d
\nImad, who announced to retire from international cricket in November last year before reversing his decision in March, said he never took outside pressure in the game.
\n\u201cI always look to handle the match pressure, which is inside the ground, in order to perform for the team. I don\u2019t think about what is happening outside or away from the field,\u201d the player, who has 68 T20 Internationals under his belt, said.
\nOn whether he will suggest Babar in captaincy and planning, Imad said, \u201cYes, definitely I will. I have not returned [to international fold] for any personal interest, it\u2019s only for Pakistan\u2019s pride and finishing on a high note by giving the nation the gift of World Cup.\u201d
\nResponding to a question about his career beyond the T20 World Cup, Imad said he was not looking too far ahead and was presently concentrating only on the World Cup.
\n\u201cIf we win the World Cup, there can be no better achievement than this. And then I will not leave [the team],\u201d the left-handed batter said in a lighter vein.
\nFast bowler Naseem Shah in his presser said winning the World Cup, and not just the game against India, was important.
\n\u201cObviously, when you play in a major [multi-nation] tournament your aim is to win the title and not just beat India, as every match is important,\u201d right-armer Naseem, who recovered from a shoulder injury to play the Pakistan Super League and some T20 matches against New Zealand in the recently-held home series, said.
\n\u201cI am feeling good after recovering from the injury, my body is in good shape. I am also excited for the World Cup for which Pakistan has the best fast bowling combination in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Amir, Haris Rauf and myself,\u201d the pacer said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE Emphasising that winning the T20 World Cup was the primary target of the team, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday said his main focus was to handle pressure inside the ground. \u201c[Fast bowler] Mohammad Amir and I have returned to international cricket [by coming out of retirement] with one clear goal and that is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":312445,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-405013","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n