Abdul Razzaq may have silenced doubters and lifted the gloom in the Pakistan camp with his barnstorming knock in Abu Dhabi on Friday. But coach Waqar Younis warned South Africa could come back strongly as the Cool & Cool Cup one-day series moves to Dubai Sports City’s cricket stadium when the third match gets under way on Tuesday.
“It’s probably hurt them. They are going to come really strong at us and we got to be really prepared for it,” said the former Pakistan skipper referring to Razzaq’s blistering unbeaten century in which he smashed 10 sixes and seven fours for a series-levelling triumph.
“You need something like this to come back in the series. We were struggling a little bit. This sort of victory will give a lot of boost to Pakistan cricket,” said Younus.
Pakistan were completely outplayed in the two Twenty20 matches and the first one-dayer before bouncing back largely due to a Razzaq’s incredible innings.
“It’s definitely a morale booster. Hopefully it will create a momentum for us in the next three games. We’ve been down in the series and not playing anywhere near to our potential. Hope it will be a different ball game altogether,” he said.
Younus hopes this would serve as a catalyst to unite the team and instill self belief in their ability after losing three key players as a result of the spot-fixing scandal.
“We needed this sort of victory pretty badly. That will cover a lot of wounds to whatever that has happened in the past,” he said.
A good example he pointed out was the return of former captain Younis Khan. “Younis Khan is a team man and does not take him long to adjust in any sort of side. Boys welcomed him which was the key. He performed which is key to Pakistan cricket,” he said.
Younus does not want to think far ahead of the series but hoping they would play positively. “We did not really express ourselves. Not many people would have thought we are going to achieve it (287). But I always had the faith in my boys,” said Younus.
Skipper Afridi feels the momentum of the series has shifted slightly. The remaining three matches will be played on Tuesday, Friday and Monday at a venue where Pakistan have lost only twice in seven outings in either ODIs or T20s.
“We haven’t been entirely happy with the way we’re playing so far in this series but we have match winners in our team like Abdul Razzaq,” said Afridi who triggered their fightback in the second match with a 40-ball 49.
However, he warned his players not to be overconfident. “Our record at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is good, and we always enjoy playing here. The atmosphere is always good and the fans get right behind us. But South Africa are a strong side and we will have to work hard here to win,” he said.