India tour for Champions League is a learning curve: Hafeez

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Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : Sep 18 2014 | 9:05 AM IST
Lahore Lions skipper Muhammad Hafeez has described their tour of India for Champions League twenty20 tournament as a great learning curve for the players and Pakistan cricket.
"We are not in India just to play cricket, we want to go back by impressing the Indian people with our attitude, behaviour and cricket. There is a lot of demand for our players and Pakistan cricket in India and we don't want to spoil that image," Hafeez said on Geo Super channel during a telephonic talk from Hyderabad Deccan.
Lahore Lions are currently competing in the main round of the Champions League and Hafeez said even though his team lacks in many areas his young side will try to produce a lion-hearted performance.
"The sort of facilities, support staff and coaching methods available to the other teams is not available to us. But we still aim to leave our footprint in this competition with our never say die approach and raw talent," he said.
Lahore Lions became the first team from Pakistan to qualify for the main rounds after Sialkot Stallions and Faisalabad Wolves had failed to do this in the last two editions of the Champions League.
Hafeez said that qualifying for the main rounds was the first task for his side. "But this is T20 cricket anything can happen and I think our team can still cause a lot of surprises."
"Till today I believe Pakistan cricket is on the world map not because of our system but because of our immense talent. But I think looking at the other teams in this competition it is time for Pakistan cricket to also fully embrace modern technology and methods," said the all-rounder.
Hafeez said Pakistan had very good coaches, trainers and analysts but all they needed were proper opportunities.
"I don't think we even need to look elsewhere we have talent in every area. But we need to now utilise them properly," he said.
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First Published: Sep 18 2014 | 9:05 AM IST

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