Champions call.

Byline: Rohan Alvares, Sports Reporter

Dubai Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has urged his young side to forget about the one-day series loss to New Zealand and live up to their "world champions" tag as the two teams resume battle in the Cool & Cool Cup Twenty20 International series at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan lost their way after winning the first of the three 50 over matches in Abu Dhabi against a New Zealand team staring at an injury crisis and playing without a coach. But the star of Pakistan's World Twenty20 Championship triumph in England who succeeded Younus Khan as skipper was in an upbeat mood ahead of today's first match at the 25,000-seater stadium in Dubai Sports City. The second match is tomorrow. "We didn't play well in the one-day series. But it's history and [today] will be a new day so we are all very focused," Afridi said. "We are the champions and we want to play like the champions. The guys and myself have worked really hard. We have to take more responsibility with our batting," he added.

For a player who took the cricketing world by storm at just 16, when he scored the fastest century in the 50-over format in his debut innings, Afridi is keen to blood Pakistan's young talent.

And he more than hinted that the squad's senior players could well pay the price if they fail to perform. "I've already mentioned it in the team meeting if the senior guys don't perform, we should give a chance to the youngsters to show how talented they are," said the all-rounder, citing the examples of Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal.

"We gave Aamer a chance in the World Cup and he performed very well. He and Umar Akmal both also performed well in the ICC Champions Trophy."

Meanwhile, Afridi's counterpart Daniel Vettori revealed the New Zealand team management have just 12 players to pick their final eleven from. Pace bowlers Kyle Mills and James Franklin are out through injury while all-rounder Jacob Oram is returning home for the birth of his first child. "We're down to a skeleton squad, as usual. We'll make a decision, probably between BJ Watling and Neil Broom on the 11th spot," said Vettori who is himself believed to be struggling with a shoulder injury.

ticketing info

n Tickets are available through Dubai Sports City on 04-425 1111 or in person at the Dubai Sports City head office, www.boxofficeme.com or 04-367 6699, and www.timeoutdubai.com or 800 4669.

n Gates open at 5pm on both days, matches begin at 8pm.

n Ticket prices range from just Dh75 up to Dh950, and corporate hospitality packages are also available from Dubai Sports City on 04-425 1111.

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