London, June 12: Pakistan captain Younis Khan is looking forward to welcome back Abdul Razzaq into the fold after the all-rounder’s late call up into the World Twenty20 squad in England.
Razzaq has been given his chance after Yasir Arafat was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
His return also marks his re-integration into the Pakistan side following an amnesty for former players in the Indian Cricket League – the rival Twenty20 event to the officially sanctioned Indian Premier League.
A hard-hitting batsman and lively reverse-swing bowling make the 29-year-old a potential match-winner.
Although Razzaq will arrive in England too late for Pakistan’s opening match of the second phase Super Eights against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Friday, Younis believes he can still have an impact during the rest of the tournament.
“This game is not possible but I think he will manage the last two games,” Younis told reporters at Lord’s here on Thursday. “He is a good name in world cricket and in Twenty20 he is a fantastic all-rounder.
“He is a senior guy and his return will be good for Pakistan cricket,” added Younis, who could have Razzaq available for Pakistan’s second Super Eights match against New Zealand.
Pakistan lost to arch-rivals India by five runs in the inaugural final of the World Twenty20 in South Africa two years ago.
They looked a shadow of that side during a 48-run thrashing by hosts England first time out at this tournament but bounced back with a convincing win over minnows the Netherlands to book their place in the second round.
“People know that if Pakistan do things right at the right time we can beat any team,” Younis stressed.
His refusal to take Twenty20 too seriously and generally relaxed, happy go lucky style of captaincy, have led to raised eyebrows in some quarters.
But Younis defended his approach by saying: “I am a simple guy, sometimes people think I am wrong because when we lose I am still laughing. You must look forward, if you lose or win.
“This is life,” he insisted. “Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days.
“We are focusing on the first two games of this Super Eights. If we win them then we will be in the semi-finals.”
–Agencies–