Pakistan target Quarter Final berth with win over Zimbabwe

Tags: World Cup 2011, Pakistan v Zimbabwe 33rd Match at Pallekele -Mar 14,2011, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Quarter Final

Published on: Mar 14, 2011

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Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 33rd Match,Group-A at Pallekele Live Score:The drama surrounding the Akmal brothers becoming an unwanted off-field distraction, Pakistan would look to focus back on cricket and secure a quarterfinal berth when they take on minnows Zimbabwe in a Group A match of the World Cup here on Monday.

The drama surrounding the Akmal brothers becoming an unwanted off-field distraction, Pakistan would look to focus back on cricket and secure a quarterfinal berth when they take on minnows Zimbabwe in a Group A match of the World Cup here on Monday.

Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 33rd Match,Group-A at Pallekele

Series: World Cup 2011
Schedule: Mar 14 (09:00 GMT, 2:30 PM IST, 14:30)

Pakistan's unbeaten run in this edition of the mega-event was halted when New Zealand handed them a 110-run thrashing and adding to that was the woeful form of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

The butter-finger keeper has been a major letdown with captain Shahid Afridi admitting that the side is suffering because of Akmal but what left everyone baffled is the team management's persistent backing for the fumbling stumper.

A possible replacement behind the stumps could have been Kamran's own brother Umar but he too has, interestingly, injured himself in the practice session. It is notable that Umar had been accused of feigning injury for the sake of his brother in the past as well.

The off-field drama is, however, not much of a concern for Afridi, who said the team is capable of handling the situation and coming good on the field.

"We want to put everything behind us, the defeat and any other thing which could hurt our preparation. We are in a positive frame of mind and will play for a win," said Afridi.

The skipper was also confident about Umar, who hurt his right index finger while fielding during practice on Thursday, recovering in time for Monday's match.

"Umar is OK. As far as Kamran is concerned he has realised his mistakes and we have given him full confidence and at this moment he is our best option," he said.

Pakistan are third in the points table behind Sri Lanka and New Zealand with six points.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in their last game on Thursday.

The African nation, who have won just one of their four World Cup games, still have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals provided they win their next two matches and Pakistan lose both their remaining group games.

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