Pakistan will do well at World Cup: Shehzad

Karachi, Dec 26 (IANS) Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad is of the firm belief that the national cricket team can do wonders at the 2015 ICC World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand Feb 14-Mar 29.
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The last time the World Cup was held in Australia, Pakistan turned out to be the eventual winners in 1992 and the Pakistani opener feels this feat can be matched, Dawn online reported Friday.

"This is my firm belief that Pakistan team will do very well at the World Cup. All the players have been working hard and I'm sure this tough grind backed by teamwork and positive attitude will enable the players - who have all the potential - to do wonders in Australia and New Zealand," Shehzad said.

"Like other players, I'm also trying my best and hopefully all this will pay off. After the recent series against Australia and New Zealand in the UAE, we've had several team talks, in which we bucked each other up and it certainly made us more organised as a unit."

Shehzad has performed reasonably well for Pakistan recently and as a result the right-hander has become a regular member in all three formats. And the 23-year-old underlined belief played a crucial part in his growth.

"I retained the belief, the conviction that I can do it and improve. With Almighty's grace this self-confidence helped me return to international cricket with success during the last 12 to 15 months or so," stressed Shehzad who returned to the ODI fold in July 2013 for the series in the West Indies.

"First, I played Twenty20s. Then I was given the opportunity in ODIs, which require a completely different approach, and I managed to perform. Finally, I came into Test cricket, which was my dream, when I made my debut against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi late last year."

Having played 56 ODIs and possessing a respectable average of 34.81, Shehzad however is yet to take guard in top-level cricket in Australia, known for its fast and bouncy tracks on which most Pakistan batsmen have struggled over the years.

The opener, though, is ready to take the challenge head-on with Pakistan playing three of their six first-round World Cup matches in Australia.