KARACHI: Former spin icon Saqlain Mushtaq while shrugging off Pakistan’s recent back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Kiwis in their tour games in New Zealand ahead of the World Cup predicted on Thursday that the World Cup squad will prove to be a different side when they face India in the opener of the extravaganza, starting next month.

The former off-spinner, who has recently been entrusted with the assignment of helping banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to remodel his bowling action, made it clear that despite a few glitches, Misbah-ul-Haq’s men have the ability to tame Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co.

Aware of the fact that Pakistan have never been able to beat India in the World Cup, Saqlain claimed that things could be different this time around. “Although Pakistan have never won a World Cup match against India, their approach should be positive. Pakistan players are fighters who are unwilling to give up easily,” claimed the former off-spinner.

“Most of our cricketers have learnt the game at the grass-roots level and many haven’t attended any academy but they have that killer instinct to help them become positive cricketer,” Saqlain, who is considered the inventor of doosra, said.

Saqlain also said that the onus will be on the young guns as “there’s something unique about this side which has shown propensity to come back after several disappointing performances”.

“On their day, Pakistan can do wonders, and India must be careful of this killer instinct,” maintained the former Test spinner who held Pakistan Cricket Board chairman responsible for failing to come up with solid plans vis-à-vis Ajmal’s absence in the upcoming extravaganza.

“It will be very important in Ajmal’s absence to have a proper bowling attack. And if the management could have come up with a solid plan, his absence wouldn’t have hurt Pakistan much,” he said.

Saqlain, who had been a part of Pakistan’s World Cup campaigns in the past, also pointed out that even Indian bowlers needn’t to be complacent.

“India’s batting is very strong and they will have to rely a lot on their batsmen. But if they want to reach the knock-out stage, their bowlers will have to be disciplined. The batsmen will certainly give them an edge but bowlers need to perform as well,” Saqlain said.

Stating that it will be a test of nerves for Indian captain, Saqlain said: “Dhoni is one of the best captains who has got everything in his kitty. Now, this is a big challenge for him to defend the title.”

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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