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Dutch Tri- Series - 2004 |
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icricketer.com > Series >
Dutch Tri-
Series - 2004 > News
Pakistan target Australia
 AMSTERDAM: Pakistan have their sights set on beating Australia in
the forthcoming one-day series in the Netherlands.
The two sides join India in the warm-up for September's ICC
Champions Trophy. "Australia is the team to beat at international
level and after the Asia Cup I hope that the team keeps the right
momentum," said Inzamam-ul-Haq.
"Both the tri-series and ICC Trophy are great challenge for the
young team. The aim is to win both the events and we are capable of
it."
Pakistan open the competition on Saturday, when they take on
arch-rivals India. The two sides met during last month's Asia Cup,
with Pakistan emerging victorious but their failure to grab a bonus
point in the match saw them miss out on a place in the final.
"Both the events will be very testing, more than the Asia Cup,
because the Australian and Indian teams are
powerful and conditions are different," said coach Bob Woolmer.
"We are working in the way where the team must learn consistently
and show improvement, and both things are important for any team to
grow."
Pakistan will also play Australia at Lord's on 4 September in a
final tune-up match. But Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden emphasised
that his side's focus is on the Champions Trophy, a tournament they
have never won.
"We've won a lot of other world tournaments but this one here we've
performed poorly," said Hayden as the side prepared to leave
Melbourne.
"So I guess the great challenge for us is to meet the expectations."
Six Australia players have been nominated for individual titles at
next month's ICC Awards, including Hayden and
captain Ricky Ponting for player of the year.
"It's a recognition of the quality of players that we've got and
their ability to demonstrate that over a period of time," said
Australia coach John Buchanan.
Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist will not play in Holland in
order to be at the birth of his second child. He will be replaced by
Brad Haddin for the warm-up matches.
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