Thursday, September 2, 2010

Mohammad Yousuf's first task as Pakistan captain has been to urged his players to show some unity for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand.

Yousuf will lead Pakistan in  the three-Test series against the Black Caps after Younus Khan asked to be rested for the trip, amid reports that he had complained of issues in the dressing room.

But having been boosted by a 2-0 Twenty20 victory over New Zealand at Dubai Sports City, new skipper Yousuf wants his team pulling together.

“My main target is to unite the team because our religion also teaches us to unite for a cause and the New Zealand tour will be a tough task for us,” Yousuf said. “I am sure all the players realise their duties. For me all the players are equal and I will treat them on an equal basis.

“We will definitely miss Younus as a batsman but I have asked the selection committee to bring in Misbah-ul-Haq as replacement who has the experience to handle the conditions in New Zealand.”

Yousuf knows his team, who lost their last Test series 2-0 to Sri Lanka, will be in for a tough time.

“Conditions in New Zealand will be difficult and with the ball seaming a lot it will be a real test for our batsmen but I am sure that the players will stand up and play to their potential," said Yousuf.

“We know that New Zealand will be tough in their conditions.”

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has warned his players they must be ready for the rigours of Test cricket when they face Sri Lanka in a three-match series, starting in Ahmedabad tomorrow.

The Indians have played plenty of one-day and Twenty20 cricket this year, but have only played three Tests - in New Zealand in March-April.

But heading into into the series with Sri Lanka off the back of a 4-2 ODI home series defeat to Australia, the pressure is on. And Dhoni said: “This is the way modern cricket is played. We have to be mentally prepared to make the change and I am confident we will be up for the challenge.”

South Africa are looking to hit back hard when they entertain England in the second Twenty20 International today.

Eoin Morgan smashed 85 not out as England won Friday’s rain-affected clash at the Wanderers by one run on the  Duckworth/Lewis method. And Smith said: “England came out and batted supremely well, the [Paul] Collingwood and Morgan partnership really took the game to us.

“We fought back nicely with the bat in the beginning. It’s a disappointing way to finish but it bodes well for a good game on Sunday.”

Collingwood said: “It was a great performance by us.”