Pak will beat NZ 'comprehensively': Alam

Karachi: A `confident` Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that his team is well balanced and experienced enough to give the Kiwis a tough fight in the one-day series starting November 3.

Talking to mediapersons just before leaving for Abu Dhabi, Alam said the players were in `full confidence` and eagerly waiting for the series, which would provide them a perfect opportunity to give the fans something to cheer about after their dismal performance in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final.

"We are leaving for UAE with a lot of confidence and I`m sure that the boys will do well there. We have a balanced squad for the series and I`m confident we are going to win the series comprehensively," Alam was quoted as saying.

"The boys are all focused and want to win the series in a convincing manner," he added.

Pakistan will begin the series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday with the first of three one-dayers against the Kiwis. Dubai will then host two Twenty20 Internationals.

Both the teams will then fly to New Zealand for a three-match Test series.

Alam described Pakistan`s `balanced` bowling attack as one of the biggest assets of the team, and with fast bowler Umar Gul declared fit to play, the bowling attack had become more lethal.

"Our bowling is our biggest strength because it is a perfect combination of pace and spin bowling. Gul is fully fit and I`m sure he will shine in the series," he said.

Meanwhile, the PCB has appointed Abdul Raqeeb as the new team manager in place of Yawar Saeed.

ANI