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Australia And Pakistan Look Ahead To World T20

Wednesday 6 May 2009

©REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Australia and Pakistan take each other on in a one-off Twenty20 International in Dubai tomorrow and the captains are already looking ahead to the summer's ICC World Twenty20 in England in June.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan, part of the side that lost to India by five runs in the 2007 final, says he expects his side to be there or threreabouts again.

“We’re looking forward to the event in England and we’d definitely like to take the trophy home with us. We had a good tournament in 2007 in South Africa, reaching the final but losing to India. This time around we want to go all the way and win it.

“We’re excited about playing in England and being in a group with them and the Netherlands will provide its own challenges. It’s always tough playing the hosts but I’m confident my side will do well.”

Brad Haddin will captain Australia in Dubai with both Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke rested and he is looking forward to the tournament in the summer.

“We’ve got a tough group stage with the West Indies and Sri Lanka in our pool but I’m confident we’ll make it through. It would be great to be part of a team that adds the ICC World Twenty20 trophy to Australia’s existing trophy cabinet.

“It’s an impressive looking trophy and one we’d definitely like to lift in England this summer."

The tournament in England begins on June 5th.