Another gift within sight for Pakistan

Younus Khan, right, may have to omit one of Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul for the semi-final match at the Wanderers

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Younus Khan wants to give the people of Pakistan another “gift” in the form of the ICC Champions Trophy, but his initial sights are set on beating New Zealand in their semi-final showdown tomorrow.

Despite a general paucity of international cricket, Pakistan have had an outstanding past four months which included winning the ICC World Twenty20 in England in June, and have surprised many people during the ongoing competition in South Africa.

They finished second in Group A to earn a place in the last four following victories over West Indies and India – one of the pre-tournament favourites – while they also pushed pool winners Australia all the way before going down by two wickets during their round robin encounter.

However, Younus knows that the game against the Black Caps at the Wanderers will not be a walkover and has singled out opposite number Daniel Vettori as the dangerman for his side.

The Pakistan captain said: “They are a fantastic team, especially their fielding over the past couple of years, and are similar to Sri Lanka.

“Whenever they have pressure, they rise together and perform as a team. At the moment, they have a couple of good options in the bowling and a couple of good all-rounders as well.

“Their captain has always been fantastic with the ball and now he’s also batting very well. So I think it will be good to play against them and we can expect a good game.”

The New Zealanders, who topped Group B, have a 100 per cent record at the ground so far having claimed their two wins – over Sri Lanka and England – at the bowler-friendly venue, while their only defeat came at Centurion.

In contrast, Pakistan’s only game in Johannesburg saw them make heavy weather of a four-wicket triumph over a second-string West Indies.

Younus, though, does not believe that his side will be at a disadvantage: “These days, there is nothing like that, especially in games like this.

“The main thing is that whenever you play against any team in a semi-final or final, it doesn’t matter.

“If we play our natural game again tomorrow and if we stick to our plan, then I think we will be through.”

The Pakistanis have no injuries to contend with following news that batsman Imran Nazir has recovered from a hand injury.

Younus is within reach of leading Pakistan to two major tournament wins - more than any captain in his country's past

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However, they face a tough selection choice in their fast bowling department, where Mohammad Asif made an impressive return to international cricket against Australia

Asif made a strong case for selection, grabbing two for 34 in eight overs, but is likely to be excluded at the expense of Mohammad Aamer, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Umar Gul.

“I always have a lot of problems with this team,” joked Younus. “It’s a healthy sign for Pakistani cricket that there is strong competition for places in the batting line-up and bowling line-ups.

“But we are picking a team for our country and it doesn’t matter whether Asif plays or Rana plays or whoever plays. We will decide tomorrow.”

Aside from England, who have never won a major tournament, Pakistan are the only two teams amongst the top-eight nations not to have lifted the Champions Trophy, and Younus said that a clash with Andrew Strauss’ men would be the ideal final.

He added: “It will be fantastic if we can go on and win this tournament. As you know Pakistan are the only team that have not qualified for the final of this competition. I think England are the only (other) team that haven’t won the tournament.

“So I will be very happy if we face England in the final. It will be a very good competition between the two sides at that stage.

“But for me as a Pakistani captain at the moment, winning the T20 World Cup, now we’re in the semi-final here, we need just two more good games.

“I think if that happens it will be excellent for all of Pakistan, because we are a country that needs a couple of good cup wins – maybe Champions Trophy or World Cups.

“It will be good if we can give the country another gift.”