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| January 14, 2003 | Tuesday | Ziqa'ad 10, 1423 |
PCB officials, fans hopeful of team winning World Cup
LAHORE, Jan 13: As the battle steams up for cricket’s biggest prize officials and cricket fans have high hopes of Waqar and his teammates to defy odds and and capture the World Cup.
“It all boils down to your performance on the day and Pakistan has the potentail to win the World Cup because we are the only team to beat Australia, the defending world champions,” said chief selector Wasim Bari on Monday.
“All we need is the backing of the nation and solid performance by the players to achieve the desired results.”
The cricket world knows, despite being inconsistent, Pakistan cricketers have the talent and firepower to beat every other team on their day.
“Pakistan has the deadliest bowling attack which can run through any batting line up and we are among the favourites,” said former captain Ramiz Raja.
Pakistan’s Super Challenge victory in Australia had increased optimism among the country’s 140 million fans that the team can grab eighth edition of the mega event due to start in southern Africa from Feb 8.
They won the three-match series 2-1 in June last year.
The victory provided some consolation for Pakistan, who lost to Australia in the 1999 World Cup final and last year’s NatWest Series final in England.
But spate of poor results saw Pakistan faring badly in the Morocco Cup, Kenya tri-series and ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan revived fortunes against a mediocre Zimbabwe where they won 5-0 in ODIs and 2-0 in Tests.
However, against tougher opposition they lost 4-1 in the one-day series and 2-0 in Tests on their tour to South Africa.
“We are a better team than the results show and I promise the team will bounce back and will deliver their best in the World Cup,” promises captain Waqar Younis.
“We have played some good cricket last year and the boys are capable of producing better, all we need is backing from the whole nation,” captain said.
Waqar hoped Pakistan will have a winning start in their first match when they face Australia.
Australia and Pakistan are in the same first round group for the 2003 World Cup and will meet each other in Johannesburg on Feb 11.
Veteran pacer Wasim Akram believes Pakistan has a good track record at the World Cup.
“We have a good track record in the World Cup and this time our boys have spent some time in South Africa and I hope the batsmen have learnt from their mistakes and would put up a better show in the World Cup,” he said.
Despite poor results against South Africa, fans are ever-willing to to back the team to the hilt.
“Resilience is our strong point and we would put behind all the recent results and lift the Cup,” said fan Mohammad Naeem.
Pakistan Cricket Board hopes team’s win will further their development plans in the country.
“Our team is capable of winning the Cup and if it comes baout it would be shot in the arm for the sport in the country,” PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said.
“Let’s not dismiss this team, back it and they will not let you down,” he urged his countrmen.—APP
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