Pakistan seek title
Having already won the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan are targeting a second major 2009 title at the Champions Trophy which begins on 22nd September despite a less-than-impressive history in the competition.
Hosts South Africa will bowl off the tournament in a match against Sri Lanka.
"Our past performance in Champions Trophy is not that much encouraging, but the way we have trained for this year's tournament, I'm sure we can perform well," Pakistan's coach Intikhab Alam told reporters.
Tough tournament
Pakistan have not reached the final in any of the five previous editions of the Champions Trophy - the biggest 50-over tournament behind the World Cup.
"It's a tough tournament, but we are in South Africa with a target to win it," Alam said.
Pakistan played two warm-up matches and will take on the West Indies in their first group game tomorrow.
Pakistan, which have never beaten India in a major ICC tournament, take on their neighbours and arch-rival on September 26 before rounding off their group matches against defending champions Australia on September 29.
Top-two teams
South Africa, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka form the other group, with the top-two teams from each qualifying for the semi-finals.
India and Australia both have hit peak form ahead of the Champions Trophy. India won a triangular series over Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Australia hammered England 6-1 in their seven-match one-day series.
Pakistan and England are the only teams in the eight-team competition which have not won a Champions Trophy.
Having already won the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan are targeting a second major 2009 title at the Champions Trophy which begins on 22nd September despite a less-than-impressive history in the competition.Hosts South Africa will bowl off the tournament in a match against Sri Lanka.
"Our past performance in Champions Trophy is not that much encouraging, but the way we have trained for this year's tournament, I'm sure we can perform well," Pakistan's coach Intikhab Alam told reporters.
Tough tournament
Pakistan have not reached the final in any of the five previous editions of the Champions Trophy - the biggest 50-over tournament behind the World Cup.
"It's a tough tournament, but we are in South Africa with a target to win it," Alam said.
Pakistan played two warm-up matches and will take on the West Indies in their first group game tomorrow.
Pakistan, which have never beaten India in a major ICC tournament, take on their neighbours and arch-rival on September 26 before rounding off their group matches against defending champions Australia on September 29.
Top-two teams
South Africa, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka form the other group, with the top-two teams from each qualifying for the semi-finals.
India and Australia both have hit peak form ahead of the Champions Trophy. India won a triangular series over Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Australia hammered England 6-1 in their seven-match one-day series.
Pakistan and England are the only teams in the eight-team competition which have not won a Champions Trophy.
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