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| March 05, 2007 | Monday | Safar 15, 1428 |
Inzamam confident of good showing by Pakistan
PORT-OF-SPAIN, March 4: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed confidence that his team will do well in ICC Cricket World Cup despite loss of pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.
Speaking at a press conference here, Inzamam admitted that loss of Akhtar, Asif and Razzaq definitely dimmed the team's chances but added the team drew inspiration from their replacements — Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat and Azhar Mahmood.
While Shoaib and Asif, were ruled out at last moment, for failing to recover from knee and elbow injuries, Razzaq was dropped because of a knee injury.
Inzamam, who was a member of 1992 World Cup winning Pakistan team, said the players must believe in themselves and the team would try to do well in the cricket's biggest event.
“In One-day Internationals, every team is tough but one man can change the outcome of a game and one good game can change the whole scenario,” skipper said.
Asked about his own form, he said: “I am not worried about it, I am confident and I have worked hard in nets. I am looking forward to World Cup and I will do my best at this level.”
He also said this might well be his last World Cup along with other great players like Brian Lara.
In the meantime, team spokesman Pervez Mir insisted that replacements Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat and Azhar Mahmood will rise to the challenge.
“The pair (Shoaib and Asif) are world class performers and great bowlers and obviously, they will be missed,” said the Pakistan media manager.
“But we have some excellent replacements in Mohammad Sami who is one of the fastest bowlers in the world and Yasir Arafat. The team morale is as good as anything but injuries happen at any time and you can't worry about it too much.
”The players are not really worried about injuries in the team and they will go out there with the goal of winning the cup.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan have announced their bowling and batting plans for their opening two group ties against West Indies and Ireland.
Inzamam has expressed his desire to play leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in first two matches as all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is serving a two-match ICC ban for being guilty of bringing the game into disrepute during recent one-day series in South Africa, will not be available.
There is a ploy to try out wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal to open the innings with Imran Nazir as Inzamam himself is slated to bat at No 4 while prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf will follow him.—Agencies
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