Afridi and Nazir can turn it for Pakistan: Malik

Lahore, Aug 30 (UNI) Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has singled out all-rounder Shahid Afridi and opening batsman Imran Nazir as his trump-card in next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Malik, 25, said though his team has a handful of potential match winners, Afridi and Nazir would be the two key players who has the capability to take Pakistan all the way in the 12-nation cricketing extravaganza in South Africa, which kick starts on September 11.

''I believe all my players have the capability to play match winning roles, But personally I think Imran Nazir and Afridi bhai can be our key players,'' Malik said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are hoping that the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup will provide them an opportunity to wash away their Caribbean World Cup disappointment, where they were knocked out in the opening round losing to underdogs Ireland.

''We have tried to forget about the World Cup disappointment.

Pakistan now have a golden opportunity to bury the ghosts of the World Cup flop once and for all by winning the first Twenty World Champinship,'' Malik told 'The News'.

''Our fitness was never better and the morale is high which is why I'm expecting our team to do well in South Africa,'' he added.

The young skipper also pointed out that the side's bowling attack is also streghtened by the return of the pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif who have the ability to defend even modest totals.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's newly-appointed Aussie coach Geoff Lawson, who recently filled in the postion left vaccant by late Bob Woolmer, also pitted his side as one of the leading title contenders.

''The team is looking ahead to the African assignment in a positive frame of mind. I think Pakistan are among the leading contenders for the title,'' Lawson said.

Before their South Africa assignment, Pakistan will make a stop-over in Nairobi where they will feature in a quadrangular Twenty20 series comprising of hosts Kenya, Bangladesh and minnows Uganda.

UNI