Wasim credits victory to team work (19 April 1999)

19 April 1999

Wasim credits victory to team work

Muhammad Yaqoob

LAHORE,April 18: Captain Wasim Akram has said that the latest win against India and England in the Sharjah Cup, which follows victories against India and Sri Lanka in Asian Test Championship and the triangular one-day series, has given enough confidence to the Pakistan team to perform well during the Seventh World Cup in England next month.

Talking to mediamen on arrival of the Pakistan cricket team at the Lahore Airport, a smiling Wasim Akram said that the successive wins have brought back unity among players and boosted their morale sky-high.

"No one should get the impression that these victories were a pointer towards an easy sailing during the quadrennial cricket extravaganza like World Cup !" cautioned Wasim Akram in an emphatic tone.

The skipper said that the Pakistan team has been registering wins mainly against India during recent months but top teams of the world will be competing during the World Cup and to emerge on top will demand a much greater effort, stamina, team-work and brilliant performances from all the members of the team.

While replaying to a question, Wasim Akram said that he did not see any weakness in the team in any department of the game.

"The failure of middle-order batting during the Asian Test Championship was horrifying but the boys rose to the occasion and gradually overcame that shortcoming also", said a satisfied Wasim Akram.

He praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood for backing the team which brought strength and harmony.

The Pakistan team skipper expressed surprise over the criticism of those who imputed motives on the loss of last league matches against India and England at Sharjah although those had no bearing on the position of his team. Wasim Akram said that he would prefer not to respond to the criticism of any one.

"We do not want to disturb the winning combination. We will persist with playing with five batsmen and as many bowlers during the World Cup matches as well. Those members of the team, who did not get chances at Sharjah are an integral part of the team, every one should rest assured", said the skipper.

Coach Javed Miandad said that the complacency showed by players during two matches at Sharjah was "a blessing in disguise" as it helped in strengthening the resolve of the team to do better in the final.

Khalid Mahmood, who also returned with the team from Sharjah, termed the team's "on the trot" victories during the recent months as a happy omen for the future of Pakistan cricket!

Federal Sports Minister Syed Mushahid Husain, who received the team at the airport, praised the competitive spirit of the boys which has transformed it into a formidable combination.

Hundreds of lovers of the game gave a rousing reception to the team and raised congratulatory slogans on its arrival.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)