We have to improve our strike rate, says Iftikhar

LAHORE: Pakistan’s key finisher Iftikhar Ahmed on Saturday revealed that the team management and skipper want him to bat after 12 overs in T20 cricket which they feel will benefit the team. 

“I have talked to the management and skipper and they want me to bat after 12 overs because they believe that batting from me at that situation will benefit the team,” Iftikhar told a group of reporters here after the first training session of Pakistan team for the Ireland and England series here at the Gaddafi Stadium.

“I also think that in the last few overs I have been effective and you have seen this in the PSL and before that as well,” Iftikhar was quick to add. “I have batted at every number at domestic. I have played at No4 and also at No5. Look, in Pakistan team your desire does not come first and you have to play according to the combination. Irrespective of the batting position I believe that at any position and in any condition I can do better for the country,” he said. Iftikhar said that the upcoming games against Ireland and England are very important ahead of the World Cup.

“Both these series are very important for the World Cup as here we have to gel well. In these two series hopefully the World Cup playing XI will be fielded and inshaAllah we will go into the World Cup with a positive mind and good passion,” he said.

Iftikhar feels that they should improve their strike rate.

“Yes the entire world does this that they try to bring down their asking run rate and we are working on this. We have been given small targets and if you have batted with good strike rate at the top of the order it eases pressure off the batting to come. Babar, Rizwan, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman bat at the top order and they are big players and they will not take long in adjustment,” he said.

Asked about his goal in the World Cup, Iftikhar said that he will be playing for the first time in the West Indies and US.

“I have not visited West Indies before and also will be playing in the US for the first time. But you know professional players adapt to the conditions” he added.