Pakistan may be down and out but Australia’s wicketkeeper Peter Nevill said they are a “dangerous team” and his side can’t afford to be complacent against them in their World T20 game on Friday. “There is certainly no complacency from our point of view. We certainly won’t be underestimating them. They are a dangerous team. If we don’t perform well, we lose,” Nevill said at a Press conference.
Nevill said Pakistan did not lack batting firepower. “I certainly don’t think they lack batting firepower. You just got to look at their couple of players, who on their day, can be incredibly destructive,” said the 30-year-old, who was a surprise inclusion in the Aussie squad for World T20 event.
Nevill said his team would look to win both its remaining ties (against Pakistan followed by India) in the league stage. “If we drop (lose) one of these next two games, then you are obviously relying on other results hoping they go your way. You would rather not be in that position. It is a must-win game (against Pakistan) for us,” he said.
Asked which team will be tougher to beat India or Pakistan the wicketkeeper-batsman said: “I don’t know, I have not thought about that. They are both tough. It is very different challenge playing Pakistan and India. You have obviously to compete against different players with different strengths. I don’t think it really helps to compare the two.”
Australia have so far played two matches, winning one against Bangladesh and losing one against New Zealand. Chasing 157 against Bangladesh, the Aussies survived some anxious moments as they lost wickets quickly in the middle order before sailing through.
“We would have surely liked to be more clinical in the run chase. We haven’t been, I suppose, as clinical as a batting unit as we want to be, but this game against Pakistan is a perfect opportunity. There are lot of guys in the change room who really will be looking to turn it on, putting a good performance and make some big runs,” he said.
Nevill heaped praise on young Aussie leg spinner Adam Zampa, who took three wickets on Monday. “He bowled beautifully. His performance was fantastic and turned the match in our favour. It was a crucial spell in the scheme of things. He has been performing beautifully and bowling well,” he said.