KARACHI: Pakistan's most capped ODI player, Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged Shahid Afridi's men to put up a stellar show in the ongoing World Cup for late coach Bob Woolmer who, the former captain said, always believed in the team's ability to be the best in the world. "Pakistan should try to do well in this World Cup not only for the country but also for our late coach Bob Woolmer, who always believed we had the potential to be the number one side in the world," Inzamam said.
"It will also help ease the pain of crashing out in the first round of the last World Cup when we had a fine combination that was disturbed by injuries," he added.
Inzamam also reckoned that senior batsman Younis Khan has a pivotal role to play for his side in the tournament
Younis, who played many a splendid knock under Inzamam's leadership, gave up captaincy in November 2009 to focus on his batting.
"He is a key member and has the capability to anchor the innings and play out the full 50 overs. He must bat at number three, a position he is most comfortable in, and has scored most of his runs in Test matches," Inzamam, who played 375 ODIs and 120 Tests, said.
The former batsman noted that Younis now have the experience to be the line-up's mainstay.
"The good thing is that Younis has lately been getting back his form and seems to be enjoying his cricket. I think for a player of his calibre, he will love to perform on the World Cup stage," Inzamam, who had played a stellar role in Pakistan's World Cup triumph in 1992, said.
He pointed out that experience was crucial in a high pressure tournament like the World Cup.
"Younis, Afridi, Razzaq, Kamran and Shoaib have played in World Cups and must now show the way to the others. They must perform and guide the others," he said.
Inzamam also felt that Pakistan's strength lies in their attack, especially considering the sub-continental conditions.
"Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar and Wahab Riaz they can all bowl at good pace and can reverse swing the ball. In the conditions in Sri Lanka and the two other host countries, these three have the ability to bowl out any side."
The former great noted that Pakistan's strategy must be based on attacking bowling.
"This plan worked well for us in 1992 and 1999 (Pakistan reached the final). The bowlers should be told not to worry about giving away runs in the powerplay, which that can happen to any bowler nowadays. They must be told to look for wickets.
"In any form of cricket, wickets keep the batting side under pressure. The good thing for Pakistan is that it has the pace and spin bowlers with the ability to take wickets."
Inzamam said that Pakistan were blessed with a potent spin attack.
"No other team has four quality spinners in every variety like we do and these guys are capable of not only taking wickets but also tightening up things under pressure and in middle overs."
He also saw no reason why Pakistan couldn't win the World Cup. "The team has tremendous potential and lately, it has been gelling well and performing under pressure. It is just a matter of getting a good start."
The former captain also felt that it should not be a surprise if Pakistan beat both Sri Lanka and Australia in their group matches as the team has the ability to do that.
