Next World Cup wide open, says Imran

Imran Khan Sunday said next year's World Cup was an open tournament despite the fact that Australia remained firm favourites.

"History tells that except in 1979, never a favourite team has won. That means the tournament is wide open and any team can win it," Imran told Dawn as Pakistan prepared to remember its decade of World Cup glory.

Exactly 10 years ago on March 25, 1992 in Melbourne, Imran's 'cornered tigers' returned from the grave to win five matches on a trot to send the country into jubilation. The country hailed Imran and his team and showered them with praise, rewards and honour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on March 30 is celebrating that unforgettable success and is expected to launch its countdown for the World Cup in South Africa.

Imran, who battled a troublesome right shoulder in the tournament 10 years ago, also believed that there was a big difference between Australia and rest of the team.

"The standard is not the same as it was in 1992. Australia is far ahead of rest of the present teams," the 49-year-old legend said.

Imran, whose team included half the members who were playing in Australia for the first time, believed the key to success would be motivation and conviction.

"We lost three of the first five matches but I was not ready to accept defeat. I always had the confidence and therefore it was easy for me to motivate myself and the boys. "I feel that motivation and self belief will be the key to success next year," he said. He, however, said the present Pakistan team lacks fighting spirit and blamed recent results and continuous changes in the team for the current turmoil.

The team is not winning enough. It is not consistant and therefore it lacks fighting spirit. There has been continuous changes in the team and the captaincy. "I feel that it is time to put a stop to experimentation. The selectors need to finalize the 15 and keep them together till the tournament," he said.

He said he had prepared for the 1992 World Cup in advance and though there were a couple of injuries, he remained focused on what he had to do.

"Captains have been changed too frequently. But I think Waqar is now settling down."

Imran said he still remembered World Cup success as his one of his finest hours. "I still remember how delighted the country was. It made me even more prouder. I had never seen the country so united and excited.

"World Cup success was also important to me because it was my last tournament in Pakistan colours and I was desperate to end it on a high note. In addition to this, the victory was also crucial to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital," Imran said.

Imran had announced his retirement after the 1987 World Cup. But came out of retirement after mounting pressure from the then President, the late General Zia-ul-Haq.

Imran, who now heads a political party, said he would be more than delighted to help Pakistan reclaim the title. He said in the recent past, Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar invited him to pass on tips to fast bowlers and other cricketers.

"I am ready to contribute in any way I can which can help Pakistan win the tournament. But of course, I can't work full-time."

The legend Sunday advised Pakistan cricketers to start believing in themselves which he believed was the key to his success in the 1992, exactly a decade ago.

"I never accept defeat. (In 1992) I was confident that we will win despite that fact that we lost three of the first five games. I had the conviction so it was easy for me to motivate myself and my team," Imran said.

Javed Miandad, who was the vice-captain, believed an unseen force was supporting the team.

"It was not like the infamous Maradona's Hand of God. But there was certainly a force that was helping us," Miandad said. He said he still remembers World Cup victory as his greatest achievement. "The hopes had ended in tears in 1987. But in 1992, we avenged that loss and there was is still no great feeling than remembering that I was part of the World Cup victory."

Miandad, who was initially dropped from the squad, said he was not fit to play in the competition. "But I was forced to jet out and join the team. I sometimes wonder how I played the tournament," he said.

Miandad supported PCB's decision to celebrate the success. "Historic victories like these should be celebrated as it also boosts the confidence of the present team."