SWABI: Former member of Pakistan Cricket Board Governing Body Amir Nawab has said that national team should build on the comprehensive Test series win against Australia in the UAE and must use it as a launching pad for preparing themselves for the 2015 World Cup, to be held in Australia-New Zealand.

Talking to media at the Gohati Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday, he warned the PCB and the national cricket team players that if they failed to build-up on this significant performance, it would be a great disappointment for the entire nation, especially the cricket lovers.

“The Pakistanis have set eyes on the World Cup and attached great expectations with their players following the thumping series win over the formidable Aussies,” he said. “We hope that the PCB would realise the importance of this.”

Amir said it was really heartening to see that in all the three departments, bowling, fielding and batting, the Pakistani players had shown astonishing performance and had not only won the Test series but also the hearts and minds of all Pakistanis.

“This is a proud moment for all of us and the Pakistan team has given a great gift to the militancy-hit nation,” he said.

He pointed out that there was abundance of talent in Pakistan and players like Yasir Shah and Imran Khan had proved it once again.

“It’s all happened in the absence of our ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and fast bowler Junaid Khan but both Yasir and Imran have put up a brilliant show to prove there is lot of back-up talent in Pakistan,” said Amir.

He said that a special programme will be arranged in Swabi upon the return of Yasir Shah to accord him a befitting welcome.

“Hundreds of fans will form a big procession to welcome Yasir at the Gohati Cricket Stadium from Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway Swabi interchange,” he said.

“We had arranged a similar programme for Junaid Khan when he returned victorious from Sri Lanka about three years ago.”

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014