KARACHI: Former cricket chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu has said Pakistan team will have to prepare really hard for their upcoming ODI and T20 series in New Zealand which will be very tough, adding the playing conditions will be drastically different from the United Arab Emirates, where the national team have been playing most of their matches for quite a few years now. “Fast bowlers, bouncy tracks and a very aggressive attitude from the entire New Zealand team will greet Pakistan cricketers there and Sarfraz Ahmed and Company should be prepared for a hostile welcome,” warned Sallu while talking to media here. “So we have to come out of the UAE mode to counter the Kiwis. But we are a very talented side indeed, as is evident from our fantastic victory in the Champions Trophy,” added Sallu. “We have fine players to tackle the opposition, no matter how formidable it is and I am sure that the national selectors will select suitable players to combat the Kiwi aggression on the upcoming tour.” The former Test cricketer said that while Pakistan boasted of a superb pace bowling attack comprising Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Ruman Raees who can give tit-for-tat to the New Zealand players, it was the batting which needed to fire to make it a contest. “Our opening pair is still not settled and we will also have to ensure that a solid middle-order is in place to counter the Kiwis,” observed Sallu. “I feel that the onus of responsibility will be on Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez and of course skipper Sarfraz himself to fire on all cylinders and put togther good, decent totals for the team. The role of Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah will also be crucial there as both can run through the sides in their day and are bound to pose problems for the New Zealanders,” said Sallu. He also named quite a few dashing players in the New Zealand ranks like Martin Guptill, the hard-hitting Colin Munro, captain Kane Williamson himself, Grandhomme and of course the seasoned Ross Taylor who were capable of putting up a handsome total for the opposition. “Their batting is very good and in bowling there is Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, express pacer Adam Milne and a cunning spinning all-rounder in Mitchell Santner. There also is new sensation Neil Wagner who wrecked the West Indies batting. However, what gives me heart is the fact that almost all our youngsters who have been given a chance to showcase their talent by the selectors in recent months including the ODI debut centurion Imamul Haq have impressed with their performances. The best thing is that we have an aggressive leader in Sarfraz whose never-say-die approach instills confidence among our players. If our batsmen stay on the wicket and score big, I am sure we have the bowling to tame the Kiwi,” concluded Sallu. Published in Daily Times, December 14th 2017.