“The way I see it this Pakistan team is well balanced and so strong for this format of the game that it shouldn’t lose to any team unless they self-destruct with internal issues,” Inzamam, the country’s most capped player said.

Inzamam said that Pakistan had a very strong bowling line-up but they needed to be consistent in their batting.

“The bowling is strong and has variety so that will be their strength but the batting has issues and the senior players will have to shoulder the main responsibility,” he said. Inzamam who played 120 Tests and 318 one-day internationals said that Pakistan needed to play sensible cricket and keep their head to do well.

“South Africa and India to me are the greatest threats to Pakistan’s ambitions to win the World Cup. I am very impressed with the disciplined way South Africans play while the Indians have some dangerous players with plenty of flair,” he said.

Inzamam said that Misbah-ul-Haq would have to anchor the innings as he was capable of playing long innings but the others must play their natural game.

“Shahid Afridi is perfect for T20 cricket and he has lot of energy and enthusiasm as a captain. He will be vital to Pakistan’s success in the tournament. I see him turning out to be an inspirational leader for his team.”

Former Pakistan captain and ex-chief selector, Aamir Sohail, predicted a more sedate World T20 Cup this time.

“I don’t think we will see the high ratio of sixes and big totals this time in this tournament. Mainly because of the pitches and the weather conditions in the West Indies would also test the teams.”

Sohail said initially when T20 cricket was launched the bowlers were running away scared of taking a hiding but now they had read the format well and were not running away.

“The bowlers now try to take wickets it is not just about big hitting. This World Cup will be all about which team displays better skills and plays clinical and sensible cricket,” he said. He pointed out that T20 cricket had also evolved over the last few years and the World Cup would be different in nature from the Indian Premier League.

The former opener said that the Pakistan team was well suited and equipped for the World Cup but he disagreed with the selection of left arm spinner Abdul Rehman as a replacement for the injured Yasir Arafat. “We have enough spinners in the side and I don’t think Rehman will get a chance to play in this tournament,” he added.

Inzamam said on Monday that he along with six other players who have been playing for the unofficial Indian Premier League have signed up for the proposed American league.

“Myself, Rana Naved, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq have agreed to play in this league when it is launched in New York,” Inzamam said.

The former captain didn’t elaborate if he had got clearance from the ICL organisers for the American league as the ICL claims it still has valid contracts with the Pakistani cricketers even though its league has been delayed this year.

Inzamam said he had got the offer from the President and CEO of American Sports And Entertainment Group Inc, Jay Mir, who has drawn up plans for a six-team American Premier League to be staged in October on a converted baseball field in Staten Island, New York.

Inzamam said the players were keen to play in the American league as it was a new concept and new venue and it would be exciting to play in America.

Sources said Inzamam and the other players had got the approval of the ICL before signing up.

The sources said that Mir was also looking forward to signing on other Pakistani players including pace bowler, Mohammad Asif who will complete a one-year ban for a failed dope test in September.

Inzamam said the American league was not an official tournament because it is not ICC-recommended.

“But the organisers say they are hoping to get clearance from the ICC for the event,” he added.

The 32-year-old businessman Mir has lined up a three-year staging deal with the minor-league baseball team, Staten Island Yankees.

Using a franchise and auction system similar to the IPL, he hopes to draw up six “international” sides – Premium Pakistan, Premium Indians, Premium West Indies, Premium World and Premium America – the final side drawn from the best of the talent on show from approximately 15 million cricket fans who already live in the USA.

A spokesman for the Yankees confirmed that they were in talks, adding that they were “very excited” at the prospect of bringing cricket to the city.