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| February 24, 2007 | Saturday | Safar 6, 1428 |
‘Writing Pakistan off a big mistake’
KARACHI, Feb 23: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer recently said those who are writing off his team for the World Cup are making a ‘big mistake’, saying the selected players have the tendency to beat any side in the mega event.
Pakistan, after losing Test (1-2) and the five-match ODI series (1-3) against South Africa, were seen by many pundits including the former Pakistan Test cricketers, as underdogs in the upcoming World Cup starting from March 13.
But Woolmer believes, “Though we had an unsuccessful tour of South Africa but I don't think we have performed badly against the Proteas. We had our chances despite a depleted bowling attack but we couldn’t capitalise on them and it will be a big mistake to write us off for the World Cup.”
Woolmer, however, admitted that his team have been badly hit by injury worries ahead of the global event. “We are facing a setback prior to the quadrennial competition as our main bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are still not confirmed for the prestigious tournament due to injuries,” said Woolmer who took charge of the World Cup preparations after returning from South Africa.
He made it clear that all the players including Shoaib and Asif have to prove fitness to retain their places in the World Cup squad.
Woolmer added he would meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and doctors to find out the respective fitness positions of the fast bowlers but would not like to take risk with any injured player. “All the players including Shoaib and Asif would undergo fitness tests and have to prove their fitness as we would not like to take risk with any injured player in the important tournament,” Woolmer emphasised. –Agencies
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