We will 'rise' to the occasion: Waqar

Hyderabad: With exactly five days to go for their Indian Premier League (IPL) debut, Sunrisers Hyderabad is gradually getting into the competitive mode.A day after a formal session on Friday, the local boys in the squad underwent an intense practice session at the Gymkhana Ground under the watchful eyes of chief coach, Tom Moody, his deputy Simon Helmot and bowling coach, Waqar Younis on Saturday. Immediately thereafter, Waqar Younis , who said he was geared up for the challenge ahead, pointed out that the team would work on its strategies once their strike bowlers, Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma arrive in the city. The team management has drawn an action plan on going about the job on hand and expects a fine showing in the sixth edition of the T20 extravaganza. The former Pakistan speedster expressed confidence that the bowlers would render an admirable job as most of them, including the South African, having thorough knowledge of the pitch conditions in India. He pointed out that they would work out the most potent bowling combinations a couple of days ahead of their campaign opener against Pune warriors on April 5. He also said that he was pleased with the way the local players were shaping up for the big one. Earlier in the day, Moody and Younis gave a patient hearing to myriad doubts and offered tips to the players who slogged it out on a particularly hot day. Moody spent most of his time working on the techniques of P Akshath Reddy and G Hanuman Vihari. He made it a point to ensure that both had rigorous exposure to short-pitched deliveries. Sudeep Tyagi, Ashish Reddy and Sachin Rana also went through the regimen. Most of the bowling was done by the enthusiastic trainees from Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence (HCAE). Helmot spent time with DB Ravi Teja, including an extended session with the bowling machine.A According to a tentative schedule, skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Cameron White will arrive late Sunday night while Thisara Perera is expected on Monday and Steyn will join on Wednesday.A Sunrisers Hyderabad will play their first practice match at 3pm on Sunday.