February 25, 2003	Tuesday	Zul Hijjah 23, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan on Sunday urged the cricket managers to stop experimenting and bring in openers Taufiq Umar and Saleem Elahi for the must-win March 1 World Cup match against India.

Following their supine submission in Saturday’s Group ‘A’ game against England that Pakistan lost by 112 runs, Imran felt that Taufiq and Elahi would make a better opening pair.

Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, both of whom opened on Saturday were a disappointment failing to give the side a sound start and could contribute just 35 runs to the total. “Taufiq and Elahi are both good openers and have proven themselves, so there should be no hesitation in asking them to open,” Imran said.

He also called for the inclusion of young fast bowler Mohammad Sami who was a wicket-taker and suggested that Shahid Afridi should bat lower down.

While reiterating that there was no need for dispatching a band of officials with the team to South Africa, Imran said the money being spent on them could have gone towards improving the state of domestic cricket structure.

Imran, who captained Pakistan to their only World Cup title in 1992, while pointing out that winning the toss was an important factor in England’s victory, said that Waqar Younis’s team however had been unable to absorb the pressure.

“Shoaib (Akhtar), Saqlain (Mushtaq) and others are all talented players but this team seems to lack the temperament to win matches.”