He was talking to Dawn prior to team's departure for Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday morning.
The newly appointed captain said before the start of the World Cup, Pakistan was scheduled to play in 20 odd one-day internationals ``and this is, I think, the correct number to judge your strength, weaknesses and resources.''
The left-hander said the team would not be subjected to unnecessary experimentations. He said he was looking forward to giving his players maximum opportunity before thinking of any changes in the lineup.
``If you want your players to perform, then the right thing is to give them confidence which can only be done by telling them that their places were not under threat,'' Sohail, a veteran of 137 one-day internationals said.
``If the players are available, they compose this batting lineup which by any means is the world's best. You tell me, is there any flaw (in the batting lineup),'' he questioned.
Sohail was also happy with the fact that another Pakistan team would be playing in Kuala Lumpur the same time they would be playing in Toronto. ``The players (in both the teams) would give the selectors a broader vision. They will have more players to select the teams from but I feel that talent only was not sufficient, experience as well was a vital point.''
Sohail refused to draw himself in man-to-man comparison with the Indian team which would be without Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, Anil Kumble and Robin Singh. ``In the Sahara Cup, Pakistan would be playing against India and not players against players. And when the countries play, the passion, ambition and determination takes a team to the zenith of glory,'' he said, citing the example of Kenya's 1996 World Cup triumph over the West Indies.
Javed Miandad, who represented Pakistan in 124 Tests and 233 one-day internationals, said a tough task lay ahead of him in his new role as coach. ``But I have always loved to face challenges and my entire career has been a challenging one.''
He pointed out that his job would be to chalk out day-by-day strategies ``as you don't expect me to rectify the mistakes of the players who have played over 150 one-day internationals. Besides, my job would be to boost the players confidence by making them realize that they were the best and can perform well in any condition.''
Miandad said the most challenging tournament of the season would be next year's World Cup but emphasised that he would like to go series-by-series. He said the series against India (in the Sahara Cup) would be as important as the home series against Australia or ICC Trophy in Dhaka.
Miandad admitted that his tenure begins with three tough events (Sahara Cup, home series against Australia and the ICC Trophy). ``It is good because in these events we will know exactly where we stand and what measures should be taken to remove the weaknesses, problems and other things. Had these events been before the World Cup, perhaps we might have found ourselves in no man's land.''
The Indians, Miandad continued, were a talented bunch of cricketers with or without Sachin Tendulkar. ``They know what cricket is and how to play it. I do think that they would miss Sachin but at the same time they would be more determined to perform even better without him because they are playing for the country and not for themselves.''
Miandad maintained that he may also be considered as a batsman who can play if required. ``It is in the contract signed between me and the PCB that I can play if situation demands.''
The team, which left early Tuesday morning for Toronto, is:
Aamir Sohail (captain), Aqib Javed (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan (wicketkeeper), Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzak, Mushtaq Ahmad, Mohammad Zahid and Yousuf Yohanna.
Coach: Javed Miandad
Manager: Azhar Zaidi.
Saqlain Mushtaq will join the team from England on Sept 14.