Cricket: Players have a duty to acclimatise, says Iqbal

Pakistan middle-order batsman Faisal Iqbal would probably settle for 10 runs for every layer of clothing.

The 27-year-old has been sporting a few extra layers while he adjusts to the climate ahead of the first test in Dunedin tomorrow.

And adjusting is what Pakistan will need to do, and do quickly, if it wants to win the three-match test series.

The tourist has had the better of the exchanges in the past and has generally coped with the conditions much better than the other subcontinent sides.

But the weather and pitches are all so foreign and Pakistan has not played a great deal of test cricket in recent years.

There is a green tinge to the Pakistan team and who knows what impact the sudden withdrawal of Pakistan captain Younis Khan has had.

But the camp seems happy and Iqbal is confident Pakistan can adjust to conditions.

"I think most of the guys have been to New Zealand before and are quite used to it, including myself," he said.

"I've toured twice here and in fact made my debut in New Zealand.

"As a professional cricketer it is everybody's duty to adjust quickly and perform."

Sounding more like a politician than a batsman when asked about the University Oval pitch yesterday, Iqbal described it as a "typical New Zealand wicket".

"I think the first day will tell what is going to happen, but I think it will be a good series."

Iqbal, if he gets the opportunity to play, will be looking for a good start to the tour.

As the nephew of Javed Miandad he must carry a heavy burden of expectation.

In 23 tests he has scored 954 runs at an average of 26.50.

He has been described as a gutsy strokemaker with a sound defence but his achievements in test cricket have been fairly modest.

His first-class record indicates he is better player.

Uncle Javed loved batting against New Zealand and scored more than 1900 runs at an average of almost 80 during his career.

 

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