Pakistan best team at Under-19 World Cup: Azeem Ghumman

Karachi, July 28 (ANI): Azeem Ghumman, who led the Pakistan Under-19 team to the final of the 2010 ICC World Cup in New Zealand, has said that the present junior team is the best in the world, with batting being their main strength.

As part of their preparations for the World Cup, the Pakistan U-19 team plays a three match ODI series against their Australian counterparts between 29th July and 3rd August.

Pakistan will play their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on 11 August at Buderim.

Speaking on the strengths of the current Pakistan U-19 team for the World Cup, Ghumman said: "I don't think there is much wrong with player selections - they recently defeated South Africa and tied with India utilising a similar squad. Young talent is being showcased and amongst the players selected, I particularly look forward to seeing Babar Azam, Usman Qadir, Sami Aslam and Zia-ul-Haq perform.

"The strength of the team lies in the batting. The tournament is being held in Australia and as I mentioned to Babar Azam [current U-19 captain] before the squad departed, they won't find conditions easy out there," he told Pakpassion.net.

"However from what I have observed, the batting seems to be the team's strength and all of top seven are scoring runs. In 2010, when we played the U-19 tournament in New Zealand, our strength was the middle order and all-rounders."

Commenting on the pressure faced by young cricketers, he said: "Pressure comes when you reach the knock-out stages. I know Babar Azam well and am aware of his skills as a captain. This will be the second time he will appear in a World Cup and I am sure he will be aware of what's required of him and his team."

Australia won the World Cup in 2010, beating Pakistan in the finals. (ANI)