Will Pakistan be able to build on its Twenty20 World Cup success in Champions Trophy?

Led by Younis Khan, a 15-man Pakistan squad left for Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday to participate in the elite eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy to be played there from September 22 to October 5. Pakistan are in Pool A with holders Australia, India and West Indies, while Pool B comprises of England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and hosts South Africa. For the first time the Champions Trophy is featuring only the top eight sides in the world in the only global multi-team 50-over-a-side tournament between the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean and the next edition of that event, in the Asian sub-continent in two years’ time.

The event begins on Sept. 22 with the home side in action against Sri Lanka in a day-night encounter in Centurion and it will end with a day-night final at the same venue on October 5. Pakistan launch their campaign when they take on West Indies in their opening match on 23 and clash with archrivals India in Centurion on 26. They will play their last pool match on 29 against Australia. Top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-finals.

Having already won the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan are targeting a second major 2009 title at the upcoming Champions Trophy despite a less-than-impressive history in the competition. Pakistan has not reached the final in any of the five previous editions of the Champions Trophy — the biggest 50-over tournament behind the World Cup.

“Our World Twenty20 win has given us confidence and I think we can build on that success in the Champions Trophy. Maybe there is a difference of overs, but the style remains the same and now a team can chase 350-plus,” Younis told reporters before departure to South Africa.

Pakistan have kept faith on its experienced middle-order batsmen Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousauf despite a 3-2 loss in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif will join the squad when his one-year doping ban ends on 22, while all-rounder Rana Navedul Hasan returns after severing his ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Asif’s return will compensate for Shoaib Akhtar’s failure to make the squad due to lack of fitness. The ever-improving seamer Umar Gul, fast rising Mohammad Aamir and hard working pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum make up a potent bowling attack with Afridi’s leg-spin and Saeed Ajmal’s off-spin adding variety. Pakistan squad: Younis Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi (vice captain), Rana Naveedul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Muhammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Saeed Ajmal.

Yes we can do it....
As once we proved ourself in T20.....

t20 is a different game