NZ tour perfect prep for World Cup, says Alam

CRICKET: KARACHI, Dec 18 (AFP) - Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam hopes a successful tour of New Zealand will put the squad in the perfect position to mount a serious World Cup challenge.

"Although the pitches in New Zealand and the sub-continent, where we play the World Cup, are different, a six-match one-day series at the end of the tour will help us build a combination and overcome our shortcomings," Alam told AFP. Pakistan, who departed Saturday, open the tour with the first of three Twenty20 internationals on December 26 before playing two Tests and six one-dayers - their last commitment before the February 19-April 2 World Cup. Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka jointly host the mega event. Alam, a former coach and captain, said New Zealand will be low on morale but tough to beat at home.