Squash great Jahangir Khan urges Pakistan to show World Cup fight

Published June 23, 2019
Pakistan squash great Jahangir Khan. — APP/File
Pakistan squash great Jahangir Khan. — APP/File

Pakistan squash great Jahangir Khan has urged Pakistan to show grit at the World Cup, saying they have the talent to reach the semi-finals despite a string of bad results.

Jahangir, one of the finest squash players of all time, was in the stands at Lord's on Sunday to watch his side take on South Africa.

“Pakistan still have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals but for that I want them to be fighting throughout the match,” he said.

The 1992 champions, who came into the South Africa match with just one victory in five games, must realistically win all their remaining four ties and hope other results go their way.

Jahangir, who won 10 British Open titles and six world titles, was known for his never-say-die approach and stamina, traits that he wants to see in the Pakistan team, who scored 308-7 in their 50 overs on Sunday.

“What I have seen in the previous games was that the team lacked aggression, especially against India,” said Jahangir, referring to last week's defeat against Pakistan's arch-rivals.

Pakistan went down by 89 runs in the rain-affected game, which sparked a furious reaction back home, but Jahangir said Pakistan could recover.

“This team has talent so I am confident that it will bounce back as the whole nation wants them in the semi-final and then in the final,” he said.

Pakistan's powerful military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was in the stands at Lord's, along with military colleagues.

Sulaiman Khan, the son of World Cup-winning Pakistan captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan, was also at Lord's.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.