ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan on Sunday urged the cricket managers to stop experimenting and bring in openers Taufiq Umar and Saleem Elahi for the must-win March 1 World Cup match against India.

Following their supine submission in Saturday’s Group ‘A’ game against England that Pakistan lost by 112 runs, Imran felt that Taufiq and Elahi would make a better opening pair.

Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, both of whom opened on Saturday were a disappointment failing to give the side a sound start and could contribute just 35 runs to the total. “Taufiq and Elahi are both good openers and have proven themselves, so there should be no hesitation in asking them to open,” Imran said.

He also called for the inclusion of young fast bowler Mohammad Sami who was a wicket-taker and suggested that Shahid Afridi should bat lower down.

While reiterating that there was no need for dispatching a band of officials with the team to South Africa, Imran said the money being spent on them could have gone towards improving the state of domestic cricket structure.

Imran, who captained Pakistan to their only World Cup title in 1992, while pointing out that winning the toss was an important factor in England’s victory, said that Waqar Younis’s team however had been unable to absorb the pressure.

“Shoaib (Akhtar), Saqlain (Mushtaq) and others are all talented players but this team seems to lack the temperament to win matches.”

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....