Mohammad Hafeez looks forward to ‘decider’ against England in Dubai

Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez is certain his side can deliver outstanding performances in back-to-back Twenty20 internationals against England on Thursday and Friday at the Dubai International Stadium, a venue he describes as the “best” to play at in the game’s shortest format. And he backs the team to bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-1 One-Day International (ODI) series loss as the side looks to cement its spot towards the top of the ICC rankings and win what he calls the tour’s “decider”. “We have been winning in the Twenty20 format, like we have been winning in Test matches,” he said after Pakistan’s 64-run victory against Hong Kong in a warm-up match at the ICC Academy. “I believe this team has got more skills in Twenty20 (than in One-Day Internationals), we are more combined as a team because we have been playing with each other (in this format) over the last couple of years. “I feel we will put up a better show (than in the ODI series).” After Pakistan won the three-match Test series 2-0 and England bounced back in the ODI series, Hafeez said the T20Is would decide which team would leave the United Arab Emirates with bragging rights at the end of two months of action. “We beat England comprehensively in the Tests and that is something very special for us,” he said. “The One-Day loss was a defeat, no doubt, (but) now it is the Twenty20s, it is 1-1 in the (overall tour) series so this is the decider. “I believe Twenty20 is a format that gives more enjoyment to the fans and the players enjoy it a lot in that format (too). “It will allow us to go out and express ourselves so hopefully the passion will come (from us),” he added. Tickets are still available for the two matches, both of which are set to start at 8pm, and can be purchased via platinumlist.net, by calling the Platinum List hotline number +971 4 4573212, or by visiting any of more than 100 UAE Exchange outlets across the UAE. Tickets, which start from just AED40, are also available at Karachi Dabar, Delhi Nihari and Sind Punjab restaurants, as well as AJ Sports outlets and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and the box office at Dubai Sports City, adjacent to the Dubai International Stadium.