LAHORE – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has rejected criticism from former greats and has asked his players to keep their focus on the game. Addressing a press conference here at the Gaddafi Stadium ahead of their departure for the 2011 World Cup, Afridi said that the critics had ignored his overall performance as captain in 2010. He said the ex-cricketers should support the team at this juncture when all the players are performing well.
Coach Waqar Younis and manager Intikhab Alam were also present in the press conference. Afridi said that the toss is not important in any match but adaptability and playing to the conditions is important. Afridi added: “I think no team is the favourite and the tournament is open to all teams,” said Afridi.
“Pakistan is one of the favourites. I think India is one of the top favourites. South Africa has been playing well and Australia can still win,” said the Pakistan captain. He further noted that cricket is the binding force in Pakistan and “our performance in the World Cup will compel the ICC and the international teams to start playing here.”
He stated that the way the team played against New Zealand, he was hopeful they will reach the semi-finals quite easily. He also hoped to play India in the final. “The chances are that Pakistan will play India in the final of the World Cup and if that happens, it would be an ideal final,” Afridi added. The arch-rivals are in placed in separate groups.
The top four teams from each group meet in the quarter-finals and Afridi said he hoped India and Pakistan would avoid each other until the April 2 final. “Both India and Pakistan have to play above their potential to reach the final but it would be ideal for billions of people around the world,” said Afridi, who will be playing his fourth World Cup. Pakistan have yet to beat India in four World Cup clashes.
India beat Pakistan by 39 runs in a highly charged quarter-final at Bangalore in the 1996 Cup. “We would love to beat India in India and in a World Cup match because we have never done it before and this could be a great motivation,” he said. Afridi said the team needed to improve on the fielding. About the new induction in the team in place of Sohail Tanveer, Afridi said that the feedback he received on Junaid Khan was very encouraging. “The team management of the Under-19 and A team spoke highly of Junaid and Waqar bhai is there to help him resolve any problems,” he added.
Waqar Younis said he felt his team had the ability to win the World Cup. “If you ask me, this team has the potential to win. For sure they have the potential to win the World Cup,” he said. “The main thing is to give it your best and the best results will come. They have been doing exceptionally and all they need is to click form at the right time.”
About Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar said that everyone knows that he is not outstandingly fit, but even half a fit Akhtar is a threat to the opposition and “I feel he should be part of the team.” Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said that his focus would be to maintain discipline in the team ranks and their attention should not divert away from the game.
“A security official is following the team and the way they have behaved in New Zealand I think there would be no issues in the forthcoming event,” he added.
