Let's win it for Woolmer, Younis tells Pakistan
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ADELAIDE: Pakistan's senior batsman Younis Khan wants to put on a big performance to beat Ireland in the World Cup on Sunday as a tribute to the national team's late coach Bob Woolmer.
Former England international Woolmer died on March 18, 2007 in Kingston, Jamaica the day after Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup by Ireland in a big upset.
An inquest returned an open verdict, leaving a mystery that gripped the international cricket world unresolved.
“Bob contributed a lot to Pakistan cricket and I would love to see us win against Ireland with a big performance from me,” Younis told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.
“There would be nothing better to dedicate to Bob and also try to win this World Cup for him.”
Younis, however, ruled out any revenge aspect to the clash.
“It is a crucial match for us as you never know what will happen on the points table,” he said.
“Ireland is a side capable of causing an upset. So we are going to take this match very seriously and there is no element of us trying to avenge the 2007 defeat,” Younis added.
FINAL TARGET
Younis, 37, who has played 96 Tests and 264 one-day internationals, also felt Pakistan were capable of reaching the World Cup final despite a bad start to the tournament when they were outclassed by India and West Indies.
“In our case, always when we start to win we get a boost and our self-belief back. The win over South Africa has given us a big boost and we are hopeful now that we have the capability of playing in semi-final and final,” Younis said.
Pakistan are in a three-way fight with Ireland and West Indies to secure a quarter-final spot from Pool B.
“I was captain when we won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and it really felt good and I just want to now also be part of a team that can win this World Cup,” he said.
Younis added that as a senior player he had made mistakes in life and learnt from them.
“Every day as a player and human being there is need for improvement and you learn. I left the captaincy in the past but now I am ready to captain again because there is no bigger honour than being captain and doing your bit to take your team to the top,” he said.
Younis, dropped after struggling in the first two games, said that as a senior player he always wanted to perform for Pakistan and it was frustrating when he had to sit out matches.
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Comments (78) Closed
Mar 11, 2015 08:23pm
Yeah, You may win. But for that you have to give your place to Sohail or Sarfraj...then only some chance. LOL...
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Mar 11, 2015 08:27pm
Younus we al respect your intentions but its over Bro, This is the problem with Sports you cannot be on top for ever age will kill you. Just pray for the team now. Many thanks
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Mar 11, 2015 08:30pm
Dear Younis, THAT is all we want from you. Just do your best!. Back in the days, the Indian fans called you part of the 'YO-YO' Duo because of your famous partnershipts with Mohammed Yousuf.
Would love to see you perform like the ‘YO-YO’ ,but you can be part of ‘YO-MI’ too if you like, You and Misbah.
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Mar 11, 2015 08:30pm
oh wait.. so did just signal that he intends to take Pak ODI captaincy after the World cup?
Why ?? Why?? Why can't you guys just retire while being at your peak with dignity instead of being shoved out.
Obviously younis bhai you have still a lot of learning to do
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Mar 11, 2015 08:36pm
Best thing that he can do for the Pakistan cricket team, the country and for himself is to retire with immediate effect. Pease come out of the fantasy living and realize your recent poor performances in the WC. Let the space be taken by someone else who may perform slightly better.
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Mar 11, 2015 08:42pm
learn to bat before talking about getting captaincy, he is way too old for captaincy and a divisive figure. After the WC, Pakistan need to look at fresh blood and a new captain. What is the point of giving it to someone on the verge of retiring himself?
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Mar 11, 2015 08:58pm
This is an indication that he might get out for zero
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Mar 11, 2015 08:58pm
Younus sb please retire.. You dont have technique to play for longer.. Azhar Ali is very good replacement. Disappointingly he is left out
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Mar 11, 2015 09:00pm
Agree, beat Ireland for Woolmer but we rather stick to Misbah as captain.
Younis saab now the time is for players like Sarfraz and Harris!!! Please
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Mar 11, 2015 09:11pm
Ireland is a good team that demands respect. Their victories were not "upsets". Please play them seriously, as they appear to be a better side than Pakistan.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:16pm
I
left the captaincy in the past
but now I am ready to captain
again because there is no bigger
honour than being captain and
doing your bit to take your
team to the top,” .....misbah your captaincy in danger
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Mar 11, 2015 09:17pm
Not for Pakistan. Right?
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Mar 11, 2015 09:18pm
@Erik
"Better side than Pakistan". I don't think so.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:19pm
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz announce your retirement.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:21pm
Please stop too much talking, you better survive until the world cup and get retired to have some respect from your supporters, otherwise you will lose more respect which you have already lost a lot.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:25pm
So that clearly means that he will be playing against Ireland...Haris Sohail will be left out again after good performances. What a shame, why doesn't this guy learn? He's taking the same route as our politicians...they seem to think that they are wanted by the public as well. He also throws his name in the captain selection as well, OH ALLAH! I won't be surprised at all if his buddies Moin Khan and Waqar Younas actually make him the captain after. SMH!
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Mar 11, 2015 09:25pm
@Nas - Have some respect for the deceased. It's a wonderful thought and gesture from Younus. I am sure Woolmer family will appreciate this!
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Mar 11, 2015 09:25pm
the hint towards captaincy seems sarcastic....... vow,,,,,,
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Mar 11, 2015 09:26pm
Give your 100% winning or losing is part of game
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Mar 11, 2015 09:33pm
After AFRIDI's & MISBAH's retirement from ODI:.....Pak team best 15member squad as below...
1. Sarfraz Ahmad (CAPTAIN)
2 Sami Aslam
3. Sohaib Maqsood( Vice-CAPTAIN)
4. Babar Azam
6. Fawad Alam
7. Md. Rizwan
8. Hammad Azam
9. Saad Nasim
10. Anwar Ali
11. Junaid Khan
12. Rahat Ali
13. Sohail Khan
14. Wahab Riyaz
15. Md. Irfan
:...............There is no place for Sehzad's & U Akmal's SILLY shots. We always see them OUT
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Mar 11, 2015 09:39pm
After WC2015 :.....Pak team best 20member squad as below...
1. Sarfraz Ahmad (CAPTAIN)
2 Sami Aslam
3. Haris Sohail( Vice-CAPTAIN)
4. Babar Azam
6. Fawad Alam
7. Sohaib Maqsood
8. Hammad Azam
9. Saad Nasim
10. Anwar Ali
11. Junaid Khan
12. Rahat Ali
13. Sohail Khan
14. Wahab Riyaz
15. Md. Rizwan
16. Raza Hasan
17. Zulfiqar Babar
18. Md. Irfan
19. Md. Zia
20. Abdul Razzaq
:...............There is no place for Sehzad's & U Akmal's FOOL/SILLY shots. We always see them OUT on LOLLYPOP balls.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:42pm
Sohsib maqsood fr captain..!!
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Mar 11, 2015 09:45pm
@Imran
This is kind gesture to fallen comrade , please do not give it a political spin.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:47pm
Mr Yunus..pls focus on test matches instead.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:49pm
Is it not insult to the present coach of Pakistan ? Its good time for Pak to make happy to it's present coach, rather than pleasing a soul rest in peace. Unimaginable ?
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Mar 11, 2015 09:52pm
He cannot even play and gets out of duck or low score and now he wants to become Captain. What a wishful thinking. Its high time he should retire and go home.
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Mar 11, 2015 09:59pm
Yes, yes, please!
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Mar 11, 2015 09:59pm
@Moshim Khan Gorwal Excellent idea
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Mar 11, 2015 10:00pm
Move on and give a youngster a chance. You have been extremely poor in odi for many years that aint going to change now. Stick to tests!!!
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Mar 11, 2015 10:06pm
Yes,yes, Please. Whatever. Just win the match.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:12pm
Insha-Allah we will win against Ireland but you won't be in the team. We will send you a thank you card for your kind words though :)
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Mar 11, 2015 10:12pm
Sarfaraz, as a captain, is the best long term choice. The guy will settle down the wicket keeper position/issue. He is a fighter, aggressive, young and has captained under 19 in the past.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:12pm
Good to see so many Indians commenting on issues which have nothing to do with them, this is what you call democracy. Cant think of any Indian website where comments from Pakistanis get this much coverage. But having said that our Media has always been light years ahead of India. Only Bollywood is superior, but look at the movies coming out in Pak recently, and give it a few years.
Proud to be a Pakistani.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:15pm
O BHAI!!! Bohat Bohat Shukriya!!! How in the world can you speak about captaincy after your recent performance. Just because you scored runs against South Africa?? But the runs you made are something which was always expected from you and you constantly failed us in this regard. This shows the mentality that our team suffers. They start dancing on a singular good performance in a whole tournament.
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Mar 11, 2015 10:36pm
We can win - but preferably without Younis!
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Mar 11, 2015 10:37pm
I think the best Younis Khan can do to contribute towards a win against Ireland is to drop himself from the playing eleven... He is a very good 12th man!!
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Mar 11, 2015 10:50pm
Best of luck Younus and Team GREEN.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:02pm
I think that Pakistan team should dedicate every single victory in this world cup from this point on to Bob Woolmer.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:04pm
All detractors, please note: We have a current captain who is 41 yrs. of age; so, Younis Khan can still dream of leading the Pakistani team.......nothing unusual by our standards. Now, returning to the WC 2015 prospects, it seems a little too late to attempt winning it, but there's no harm in trying....right?
As far this final game is concerned, it really has to be a revenge game as due to the 2007 upset loss led to that tragedy (we all know what is was); so, let's not repeat the same mistake Younis & Co. as it will be more shameful now.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:06pm
@Ali Well, this does not necessarily mean that Haris will be out. The latter may even be selected in place of Sohaib Maqsood. So, let's not jump to any immature conclusions and premature comments.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:07pm
Well said Younis. Looks like you're learning and growing. But there's one practical aspect you need to seriously re-think about: a couple of overs of your seamers like what Mudassar Nazar used to do during Imran Khan's days.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:10pm
@Moshim Khan Gorwal Dont't think that far. And, BTW where does Mohd. Aamir stand after being allowed to play by the ICC? He is probably better than the present lot of left arm pacemen that Pakistan is so boastful of. So,, please don't float these far-fetched ideas at this juncture.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:12pm
@Naeem Ayub What a ridiculous idea! Pakistan needs a stabilising batsman in the middle so as to create a sound stage for launching an assault in the later overs.
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Mar 11, 2015 11:13pm
oh, so now he thinks he should put in a performance....as noble his intentions are?
Expected better from you, Younis.
and why is the player making a statement and/or giving an interview if you arent a captain of the team?
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Mar 11, 2015 11:34pm
Sir,
If Yunus Khan was playing for Pakistan only he would have quit ODI gracefully.
However, the trend of quitting cricket does not exist in the professional lives of cricketers in Pakistan and sooner or later they have to be dropped to make them read the writing on the wall that they are a burden to the side!!!
If Yunus had gone then a more deserving in form batsman like Fawad Alam would have played in his place.
Regards
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Mar 11, 2015 11:54pm
What about winning for the country and the fans?
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Mar 11, 2015 11:54pm
What about winning for the fans and the country?
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Mar 12, 2015 12:13am
if younus plays this game against ireland then we are sure to lose it---dont play him--team must be openers sarfaraz ,afridi,shezad,harris,misbah,maqsood,akmal,wahab,rahatsuhail,irfan
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Mar 12, 2015 12:20am
I am hoping against hope that WI will crush UAE by 200+ runs and Ireland will some how beat Pakistan. That will be the end.
If that happens it will be a Super Sunday for the 1.25 Billion Indians.
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Mar 12, 2015 12:37am
Uh please don't do it for Woolmer. What if you guys lose? Woolmer will be turning in his grave. Just play normal cricket dude. Just win and get it over with.
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Mar 12, 2015 12:45am
“Ireland is a side capable of causing an upset...."
I would argue that Pakistan is the underdog going into the match so he should say we are capable of causing an upset!
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Mar 12, 2015 12:51am
If you Do Not Play,we will WIN!
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Mar 12, 2015 12:54am
Sarfaraz.. dhoka nahin dega .... (courtesy 'PK' movie) ...bring him :D
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Mar 12, 2015 01:33am
YK please....sit out and watch. Nobody wants you to be the captain, nobody even wants you to see play in the ODI squad. Retire with honor before you are made to retire. Leave a spot for someone young who can develop in this role like sohail.
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Mar 12, 2015 01:46am
@Moshim Khan Gorwal - Fawad Alam does not have the power to hit a 6 - he maybe great at collecting singles but he does not belong in the modern 1 day game were totals of 300 have become common
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Mar 12, 2015 01:46am
Good gesture by Younas. Get the cup.
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Mar 12, 2015 01:48am
Younis bhai, wanting to do something big and actually doing something big are completely different.
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Mar 12, 2015 01:56am
It's awesome Yousf. Whe you are very optimist about out class other teams and reach finals. It's only possible when you sit up high on the stand leaving your place to young talent and support then plus be proud of the. TThis is only to show that you are Mr. Cricket and Pakistan still produce player of high caliber.
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Mar 12, 2015 02:30am
@kranti Agreed. Moreover Bob Woolmer died because of vary bad batting by Inzimam, Mohammad Younus and Younus Khan. In-fact Younus Khan and Waqar Younus are a WC failures.
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Mar 12, 2015 03:07am
Unbelievable - He is dropping hints that he is ready to captain Pakistan again once Misbah retires after this World Cup. Thanks but no thanks, Younis. Please concentrate on making at-least 30 runs in remaining World Cup matches (that has been your career average after playing over 250 matches) and retire afterwards
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Mar 12, 2015 03:21am
let me wake younis khan up...
if pakistan manage to get to quarter by winning this match.. they play australia.. pakistan all out for 125 or less.. mitchel stark 5fer
if pakistan lose and get to quarter they play newzealand... pakistan all out for 150 or less.. boult 5 fer.. or southee boult 7 + together..
now beat my prediction...
surprise me.. please.
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Mar 12, 2015 04:57am
You are almost out of the side. Don't beat about the bush. Try to win for yourself and bestow the confidence reposed in you by the selectors.
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Mar 12, 2015 05:22am
@Erik it struggled against teams like UAE and Zimbabwe and let SAF to score 412. .. what u talking about sir?? -_-
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Mar 12, 2015 05:25am
@Begum Mumtaz why u not want pak in quarters? Hesitant that u might have to face it in semis?? ;)
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Mar 12, 2015 06:20am
Ireland gonna win.
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Mar 12, 2015 06:47am
Younus Khan for Pak ODI Captain! Woohoo...that should resolve the debate :D
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Mar 12, 2015 08:00am
not so fast....
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Mar 12, 2015 08:17am
Mr Yonis forget Bob win it for Pakistan
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Mar 12, 2015 09:16am
One think I don't like about Pakistan cricket fans,short memories! Younis Khan is capable doing anything. Since he was dropped due to Parchi players. He was out of touch now he is back in the game. And about his captaincy, there will be no other better choice then him. Age is just a numbers. He was the only Attacking and classy captain after Wasim Akram. His captaincy put the team together in England to win you the T20 World Cup. Then some low class players went against him to throw him out from his captaincy. That cost Pakistan 3 top and dangerous weapons,because there was no leader any more. And they were fooled by the corrupts. You only support the green team when they are winning only?! What a fan you are buddy! If we all unite for once doesn't have to be cricket, we can reach the top. So stop criticizing things and go shoulder to shoulder with your brothers make things happened.
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Mar 12, 2015 09:19am
Younus is out of form no doubt but he has a good cricketing brain And he was a pretty good captain.
With Misbah and Afridi retiring he may be a good choice for captaincy for couple of years till a young captain is trained under him. Younus is superfit no doubt, much better fitness then our youngsters.
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Mar 12, 2015 10:12am
Yonus needs to play on the front foot and do some foot work...he ought not be be a magician and do not mess with ball far from his body on the off side!
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Mar 12, 2015 10:17am
Younis, to be a captain you to lead from the front.. What you did against India is something, people won't forget. You aren't an ABD..
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Mar 12, 2015 11:45am
What a hypocrite?
He, and Inzimam-so called gentle person-, and other senior players mistreated, were highly disrespectful to Bob Woolmer.
They all isolated him, and didn't talk to him
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Mar 12, 2015 12:09pm
@Moshim Khan Gorwal and what about hafeez, saeed ajmal, mohd amir ??
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Mar 12, 2015 12:19pm
Lets win it for Pakistan! Isn't that enough motivation for a team to prosper at World Cup?!
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Mar 12, 2015 12:26pm
pakistan is on winning track they will be beaten in quarters
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Mar 12, 2015 04:00pm
You can still be part of the team when it wins the world cup in 29th by sitting on th bench for the rest of the tournament.
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Mar 12, 2015 11:55pm
Just score 37 and he thinks he is back that's his class...
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