Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said the two Twenty20 World Cup cliff-hangers against India had only whetted the appetite of his players for the forthcoming series.
LAHORE: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said the two Twenty20 World Cup cliff-hangers against India had only whetted the appetite of his players for the forthcoming series against the arch rivals.
"India has certainly been at the back of their (Pakistani players') minds. In fact what happened in the T20 World Cup has only whetted the appetite for the coming series," Lawson said on Sunday.
"Although an Indo-Pak series always produces high tension. But it is becoming more exciting with the induction of new players," the Australian said.
He said he got a taste of the intense rivalry between the two sides in the T20 World Cup but playing in India would be a whole new experience for him.
"I am looking forward to it. We have a good side and we are confident we can do well. We played against them in the Twenty20 World Cup and there is nothing much between the two sides in the instant form of the game," Lawson said.
The former paceman said an ODI series victory against the visiting Proteas would serve a big morale booster ahead of the India tour.
"People have a high level of anticipation for the coming series but we have to first go through the one against South Africa. If we can win the final game against tomorrow, it will be the biggest stepping stone for us for India," Lawson said.
He said that the coming series promised more because of the change of guard in both teams.
"Great players leaving always leaves you with a great deal of sadness but they are a few exciting new talents coming through in both teams. All this is adding more and more to what will be a great series," he said.
Lawson expressed satisfaction at his stint with the Pakistan team so far.
"We want to win every game but we need to do a whole lot of things before we can do that. We have a fair way to go in that but we have started doing some things really well," he said.
Lawson was of the view that the Pakistan team lacked consistent intensity.
"At the moment, at times the intensity is missing and we tend to go one step backward after a few good things. But the Pakistan cricket culture is different and they have different ideas. I always knew it will take time to change things and old habits."
"What is frustrating for me is at times we do some things really well and then fall back. But I am willing to be patient with them. Because there is a whole lot of talent in the Pakistan cricket system," Lawson observed.
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