Pak's good show in T20 WC 'perfect launch pad' for tough assignments ahead: Bari

Karachi, May 16 (ANI): Though defending champions Pakistan have crashed out of the ICC World T20 Championship, Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) believes that the team's performance in the Caribbean has given itself a perfect 'launch pad' ahead of a busy calendar this year.

Bari said he was 'impressed' by Pakistan's performance in West Indies, adding that it would help them prepare better for some tough encounters ahead which includes the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the Test Series against England and Australia.

"We may have lost in the semifinal, but I believe that the way we've played in the event has provided us with a great launch pad and will help us do well during the rest of the year," The News quoted Bari, as saying.

"We have a very tough season coming up and the team will benefit from the confidence it will derive from its performance in the West Indies," he added.

Pakistan looked all set for a third consecutive appearance in the World T20 final after posting a challenging total of 191 runs against Australia in the semi-final, but Michael Hussey's breathtaking knock of 60 off 24 balls denied Afridi's men a chance of a clash with England in the final of the coveted tournament.

Bari, however, denied commenting on whether the PCB would retain Afridi as captain for the upcoming Asia Cup, as the flamboyant all-rounder has been criticised for some of his decisions during the T20 World Championship.

"The thing is that the team is still in the West Indies and we will only sit down and talk about such issues once its back home," he said.

He also refrained from commenting about reports regarding leg-spinner Danish Kaneria being arrested in London over match-fixing charges, saying the PCB is yet to receive any official report regarding the case from English authorities.

"We've heard about it from media reports today but haven't received anything in writing from the authorities in England. The Board is monitoring the case but will only decide its course of action after getting something in black and white from the concerned people," Bari said. (ANI)