ISLAMABAD - Former legendry leg spinner Abdul Qadir has suggested the Pakistan cricket team to enter the match with all guns blazing and prevail on the arch-rivals.
Talking to The Nation, Qadir said: “Pakistan cricket team is the world’s only team, which has the services of top fast bowlers, who can bowl at a speed 140 or more, while they have also top spinners in form of Afridi, Imad Wasim and Shoiab Malik, who have ability to turn the tables any time.
“Had these bowlers available to Imran Khan during his playing days, Imran could have conquered the entire cricketing world. I was the only spinner of quality available to the national team and we requested Muddasar Nazar and Ijaz Ahmed to bowl a few overs, we always asked batsmen to put 230 on the board and leave the rest on us. When the players like Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi and Imad Wasim are in the batting line up, who comes at number 7, I am surprised how Pakistan team can lose the matches. I am surprised why green caps fail to win majority of matches having such quality batters in the later stages of the match, who can just kill the opposition and that too in only matter of a few deliveries,” he added.
Qadir said that it was true that Pakistan cricket team had never managed to beat India in World Cup matches and this time too, Indians will be heavily relying on that past theory. “One thing everybody must keep in mind that we have started the World Cup campaign on a high note against Bangladesh, and with this win, our morale are sky high. On the other hand, Indians were totally outclassed by Kiwis at their home ground which shattered their morale, so Pakistan team has psychological edge over Indians.”
He said Pakistan team must enter the ground like lions and should play with positive frame of mind. “I can assure all that it is ideal and golden period when Pakistan cricket team can rewrite history books and pile more miseries on the Indians on their own backyard. The pressure will be solely on Indians and off course, the crowd pressure can also take its toll and Pakistanis will feel the pressure to some extent, but they have to keep aside fear factor.
“In my personal opinion, if I were the captain, I straight away asked the Indians to bat first after winning the toss. Batting is their strength and we could expose their flaws in best possible manner. Keeping in mind top class bowling, I am sure, green caps would be able to restrict the Indians to a total somewhere around 150 and it will give Pakistani batsmen a real chance to chase down the target. In case, Pakistan bat first, the batsmen should put 150 plus on the board to brighten their chances of winning the match,” he added.
“I am amazed why the ICC didn’t take action against the Nagpur wicket which was not meant for international cricket. Kolkata pitch is completely different to what was on offer at Nagpur, as it is batting paradise and I am sure Indians will not risk of preparing spin track once again. Pakistani pacers, with more than 140 speed, can pose serious threats to opponents and they can destroy any given batting order. Indian spinners, I am sure, will suffer in the conditions and Pakistan can take full advantage of their low in morals and crowd may put further pressure on the home team. I advise the team to enter the match with all guns blazing and prevail,” Qadir concluded.