Miandad defends Afridi's comment

Pakistan cricket legend Javed Miandad feels captain Shahid Afridi's comment about aiming to make Sachin Tendulkar wait for his 100th international century shouldn't be made an issue.

Sachin Tendulkar

"He (Tendulkar) will have to wait until after the World Cup to reach the landmark. We will try and make sure no batsman plays a long innings (in the semi-final at Mohali)," Afridi reportedly said recently.

"Don't take Afridi's comment too seriously. No captain or team will want runs scored off them. Every team has its strategy after all and Pakistan will try their best to restrict batsmen like Tendulkar," said Miandad, who figured in six World Cups (1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1996).

He resisted from getting into the merits of each side to name his favourite. "A lot of things are said about strengths on paper.

"On paper, South Africa were better than New Zealand. But what happened in the quarter-final in Dhaka? New Zealand beat the so-called favourites. All that matters is what you do on the day."

Asked whether he would unleash veteran Shoaib Akhtar on India considering that he's had some success against the neighbour, Miandad said: "It depends on his fitness and the pitch at Mohali.

"You chalk out your strategy looking at the strip too. Shoaib's a good fast bowler and well known for his exploits. He can be an option."

PM phones cricket team captain Shahid Afridi,

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has made a telephonic conversation with Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi and encouraged the team ahead of the great battle of the game.

According to the media reports, the Prime Minister during the conversation asked the team to play diligently and show their best game onto the field. He further told the skipper that he is coming to India for backing the team. All the prayers of nation are with the team and the Greenshirts would be succeeded in the in the expected hotly contested match.

Indian media to get response in arena: Afridi

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi repulsing the criticism of Indian media, said the national team will respond to the Indian media with its performance inside the arena, Geo News reported Monday. “Rehman Malik (Interior Minister) should not have given a statement regarding matck fixing on the occasion of World Cup,” Shahid Afridi said while speaking in Geo News’ program “Score” via telephone. However, he added that players mostly prefer to speak with one another instead of listening to news or reading newspapers. He said Pakistani players are ‘quite satisfied’ in India in all respects. There is no security issue here, he added. “We will respond to the Indian media’s criticism with our performance in the stadium,” the Pakistan skipper asserted. Shahid Afridi said the players are well aware of the significance of this match and the team is well-prepared to take on India in the semi final on March 30 in Mohali. “The team’s hopes are high to defeat India,” he added. With reference to Shoaib Akhter’s inclusion in the squad, he said a decision is yet to be made. “We want Shoaib who can pull out a strong 10-over spell and not one who can last for only three-four overs,” he added.

Ind vs Pak: Afridi's brother Mushtaq stopped at Attari

Pak cricket team captain Shahid Afridi's brother Mushtaq has been stopped at the Attari immigration by security officials. Sources say those coming in from Pakistan, who do not have the original ticket for the World Cup matches, are not being allowed to cross over into India. It seems Afridi's brother did not have the original ticket for the semifinal clash between India and Pakistan scheduled on Wednesday at Mohali.