Pakistan want shock therapy

Kenya keen to move on swiftly from New Zealand humiliation

Last updated: 22nd February 2011  

Pakistan want shock therapy

Respect: Afridi has no intention of taking Kenya lightly

There are a number of examples when big teams have lost, so I want to play with full strength.

Shahid Afridi
Quotes of the week

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Pakistan are wary of the threat posed by Kenya and will name their strongest team for Wednesday's Group A match in Hambantota.

Kenya looked badly out of their depth when skittled for 69 on the way to a 10-wicket defeat to New Zealand in their tournament bow last Sunday.

But Pakistan know all too well the danger posed by the associate nations, having fallen victim to Ireland at the last World Cup.

"There are a number of examples when big teams have lost, so I want to play with full strength," said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi ahead of his side's opener.

Pakistan have endured a turbulent four years since making a first-round exit at the 2007 event, which was overshadowed by the death of their coach Bob Woolmer.

The squad is weakened by the absence of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, all of whom are serving long bans for their part in the spot-fixing scandal in England last summer.

Afridi, who was only confirmed as skipper a fortnight after the squad was named, is understandably keen to focus on the future.

"It was difficult in the beginning when we had all those issues," he said. "We had to rebuild, we had to lift the team again and that was affecting my performance."

"Now the situation has come that our team is settled and we have a good combination. People now have hope that this team can do something."

Scare

Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande is expected to play, probably as part of an unchanged XI, despite being hit on the head in the nets on Tuesday.

The African minnows are appearing at their fifth World Cup in a row, the most successful of which was in 2003 when they reached the semi-final.

Veteran all-rounder Steve Tikolo, 39, has featured in all five campaigns and is optimistic of an upturn in form.

"As a top professional, for me, if you are down, it's the way you pick yourself up," he said.

"The good thing that came out in the changing room was that the boys were very disappointed and that shows the mark of good professionals.

"It's good to hear that the opposing captain has respect for the Kenya team. I'll pass that message to the boys, so obviously tomorrow the guys will be pumped up."

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