I am ready for 50-over cricket - Shahzaib Hasan

Karachi opener Shahzaib Hasan, one of three new faces in Pakistan's side for the upcoming Asia Cup, believes he is ready for the challenges of international one-day cricket.

"I am confident that I can play well in the 50-over format of the game," he told PakPassion.net. "While I have no international experience at the 50-over format, I'm sure that I can turn my recent good domestic form into runs at international level and I am ready for the challenge of 50-over international cricket." In domestic one-dayers, Hasan has scored 504 runs at an average of 38.76 and a strike-rate of 100.

Hasan, who has played four Twenty20 internationals, is currently attending the national training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where the team is being put through net sessions and fielding practice, along with lots of one-on-one coaching. "We are being pushed hard by the coaches and it is tough work in this heat, but I am really enjoying it," he said. "Waqar bhai and Ijaz bhai are just tremendous; they have a real connection with the boys, and know how to get the very best out of them."

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also gave Hasan batting advice, which the 20-year-old has taken to heart. "Shahid bhai has told me to be positive, and to bat with a positive attitude and not to think of any negative thoughts when I am batting, which I think is excellent advice and advice that I will take on board"

The tip from Afridi came on top of advice Hasan received from Pakistan legend Javed Miandad at a recent emerging players camp. "He [Miandad] gave me a lot of advice, especially with regards to some technical issues and batting with soft hands and rotating the strike. He also told me to concentrate more on working the ball around the field instead of looking for big shots all of the time."

A fellow rookie in the Pakistan squad, Umar Amin, also expressed his excitement at being called up and his eagerness to succeed at the international level. Umar, who has a first-class average of over 42, was playing a club match in Rawalpindi when he heard the news. "My mother called me up and told me that I had been selected for the Asia Cup squad. I think my form currently is pretty good after the recently concluded Pentangular Cup in Karachi."

Umar said that, if given the opportunity to play, the knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions acquired on A-team tours would prove handy. "I am very aware of the conditions in Sri Lanka and I'm happy to bat wherever I am required." On that tour, Umar made 153 against Sri Lanka A in a four-day game in Dambulla, the venue for the Asia Cup.