Thursday, March 3, 2011
Pak should not play quarters in India: Akram
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is right in saying that the team should top the group to avoid playing its quarterfinal match in India, feels former skipper Wasim Akram.
"I agree with what Afridi and coach Waqar Younis have said that they would not like to play their quarterfinal in India," Wasim said from Colombo.
The former fast bowling great pointed out that it would be better for Pakistan to play their quarterfinal in Sri Lanka or then in Bangladesh.
"In these two countries Pakistan will get a lot of support and many Pakistani supporters will find it easier to reach these countries to back their team compared to India," Wasim said.
He said there was always extra pressure playing in India for Pakistani players and that is why they were looking at remaining in Sri Lanka for their quarterfinal.
"But I don't think it will be a problem playing their semifinal or final in India because by that time the team would have played a knockout match and would be over their nerves," he added.
Wasim also advised the Pakistan team to avoid giving too many statements in the media.
"I think their main focus should be on cricket you don't need to discuss everything in the media. There should be an element of secrecy about which team you are playing or if any player is unfit. No need to discuss everything in the press," he said.
Pakistan's former captain Imran Khan also backed the policy of players giving minimum statements in the press.
"It also depends on who is speaking because when you come into the media you must be able to express your thoughts clearly many times I have seen that cricketers have landed up in trouble because what they wanted to say and what they eventually said was not the same thing," Imran stated.
SHAHID AFRIDI SAYS UNITY IS PAKISTAN’S GREATEST STRENGTH
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi said on Thursday that the major reason behind his side’s stunning performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2011 so far is their unity.
“Unity is our secret recipe,” said Afridi while talking to media. “The boys knew there is no other way we can win the World Cup. It was necessary to gel together and play as a unit. We've done that; now it's our greatest strength.”
Pakistan came into the World Cup after a tumultuous year plagued by a number of controversies. The cricket pundits did not have high hopes attached with the Men in Green and there were not many favouring the side to be among the top four teams of the tournament.
But the Afridi-led side stunned cricket lovers with their impressive win against World Cup favourites and co-hosts Sri Lanka following a mammoth 205-run crushing of minnows Kenya.
Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and his coach Trevor Bayliss feel Afridi and his men have as good a chance as anyone else in the tournament to lift the coveted trophy.
The hard-hitting batsman of Pakistan Abdul Razzaq echoed his skipper and said, “The thing is that when you trust each other, then you play for each other. You start enjoying whatever role is given to you. That's the way we are going right now. The team is completely united and focused on winning the World Cup.”
Pakistan team manager, Intikhab Alam reckons better communication in the team is the reason behind unity. The manager, who led Pakistan to their solitary World Cup glory in 1992, added that misunderstandings are created when people are not talking to each other.
Pakistan are placed in Group A of cricket’s mega event along with Sri Lanka, Canada, Zimbabwe, Kenya, New Zealand and defending champions Australia.
The Men in Green play their third group stage game against Canada on Thursday, 3 March, 2011.
Cricket-On fire Afridi lifts ragged Pakistan to victory
Shahid Afridi made up for Pakistan's ragged performance with the bat by collecting his second five-wicket haul of the World Cup as the 1992 champions beat Canada by 46 runs on Thursday.
Canada looked as if they could produce the second shock of the tournament when they skittled Pakistan for 184 in just 43 overs and followed it up with some sensible batting from Zubin Surkari (27) and Jimmy Hansra to reach 104 for three.
But once leg-spinner Afridi (5-23) bowled Hansra for 43, the Canadians lost their way and were all out for 138, handing Pakistan their third successive win in Group A.
Ireland beat England in Group B on Wednesday to create the first upset of this year's event.
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