LAHORE - Pakistan Test captain Mibahul Haq has said Thursday that Pakistan players would give their best despite unending controversies surrounding his team.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of World Cup 2011 here at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, he said that it was disappointing that no World Cup matches were being played in Pakistan. He said every team likes to play on its home ground and in front of its home crowd. It was sad that Pakistan did not get this opportunity.
He said morale of the players was still very high and despite losing key players, his side would give its opponent run for their money.
To a question, Misbah said that New Zealand series would serve as a good preparatory tour for the World Cup. He also said that there was unity in the team and every player would make his contribution.
The event was attended by Pepsi’s leadership team, imminent media personalities, stars from the Pakistan cricket team, the Music Industry of Pakistan, senior officials from the PCB and cricket legends of Pakistan.
Speaking at the event, Country Head Pepsico Pakistan Jehanzeb Q Khan and Director Marketing Pepsico Khurram Koraishy reiterated Pepsi’s commitment towards reviving the game in Pakistan. The speakers mentioned that the resounding success of the recent Pepsi-PCB Cricket Star Campaign was also a testimony to this commitment. They hoped that the coming of World Cup trophy would serve its purpose of fuelling the cricket fever in Pakistan, leading on to the commencement of the championship.
Earlier, Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said he was confident his players could win the World Cup next year to make up for the country’s loss of hosting rights.
“Unfortunately, we were deprived of hosting World Cup matches but I’m confident my players have the ability to win the trophy,” Alam said at a ceremony unveiling the trophy to be awarded in 2011.
Pakistan was one of the four original hosts of the 10th World Cup, but an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to strip them of hosting rights.
