'Confident' Ajmal says Pak will be 'force to reckon with' in World T20

Veteran Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal has said he believes that his team will be a force to reckon with in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, beginning next week.

Not bearing any two-time winners in the previous four championships, the fifth edition of the tournament, starting on March 16, is also an open competition, with no particular team starting as the pre-tournament favourite.

However, the Express Tribune quoted Ajmal as saying that he feels Pakistan's rivals are afraid of them in this mega tournament since they have a very good track record in the format and the World T20, adding that they have a balanced side, with match-winning players in both batting and bowling.

The report mentioned that Pakistan won the event in 2009 under Younus Khan's captaincy, taking the throne from arch-rivals India although the next two tournaments were claimed by England and West Indies respectively.

However, Ajmal admitted that the T20 format is the most unpredictable in the 'unpredictable' game, adding that they are no favourites for the tournament and as such, the team that remains consistent will win the event.

The veteran spinner reposed confidence in Mohammad Hafeez's captaincy, saying the side progressed well under the seasoned all-rounder.