LAHORE, 1 December 2003 — Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said his side will battle for a second straight win against New Zealand in their one-day match today to put them in the same group as archrivals India in a major tournament next year.
A win in the second match will lift Pakistan to number three in the world rankings ahead of the naming of groups for the biennial International Cricket Council (ICC) event to be held in England in September 2004. The ICC is due to announce the seedings for the 12-team event after the second match of the five match series against New Zealand. Pakistan lead 1-0 following their thrilling three-wicket win in Lahore on Saturday.
“I am proud the way my team played, what else can a coach ask from his boys other than a win and my team is not wary of India or Australia,” said Miandad.
“If my players play to their potential they can beat any side in the world.”
If Pakistan lose to New Zealand today, it will fall to fourth and will play England and Zimbabwe (9th) in group matches in the ICC event.
“I have never felt so proud of my team than after chasing 292 in the first match against New Zealand and I feel the team is gelling well,” he said.
Captain Chris Cairns hit an unbeaten 84 for the novice New Zealand side, in which six players were making their debuts. They scored an impressive 291-5 and were sensing a win until Abdul Razzaq’s 47 blasted off just 22 balls dashed the tourists’ hopes.
Cairns, named captain for the Pakistan series after regular skipper Stephen Fleming was ruled out of the tour due to an abdominal injury, said he was happy the way his young side played.
“I’m still extremely proud of the way the guys played. While we can be disappointed with the loss, it has to be put in perspective,” said the 33-year-old all-rounder.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played first-class cricket with six debutants and for four-fifths of the game, we were pretty much on top and we got it whipped away from us at the end.”
