Wasim determined to bury ghost of 1999 World Cup final

CAPE TOWN (South Africa), February 8: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram Saturday said he was determined to bury the ghost of the 1999 World Cup final and hoped to end on a high note in his last hurrah.

"The memories of the 1999 World Cup final are still fresh in my memory. But I am determined to bury them once and for ever in this tournament. This will surely be my last World Cup and I am keen to end on a high note," the Sultan of Reverse Swing said.

Pakistan lost a lopsided final by eight wickets at Lord's four years ago. Pakistan play Australia in its World Cup opener on Tuesday.

"I think most of the people don't remember that we defeated Australia in the preliminary round match in 1999. We showed the world that we had the talent (to beat Australia) that time also and will show it once again," Wasim, who has 490 one-day international wickets, said.

Wasim will be playing in his fifth World Cup in an illustrious career that started in 1984. In 32 World Cup matches, Wasim had scooped up 43 wickets besides scoring 335 runs. Against Australia, Wasim has played 48 matches so far and scored 773 besides taking 64 wickets at 27.71.

"I have always enjoyed taking on challenges. Australia has always been a very competitive team and I always enjoy playing and performing against them. I just can't wait for Tuesday's game and although it would not be a grudge match, we would certainly like to start the tournament on a winning note," the 36-year-old Wasim said.

Pakistan are the only team that last defeated Australia in a one-day series when they won the Super Challenge Series 2-1 in July 2002.

"Personally, I don't have anything to settle with Australia. But we need to start with a bang because that would provide us the much needed confidence boosting. It is a long tournament and we would win some (matches) and lose some. But the most important thing is that we must remain gelled together in tough times.

"So far, the atmosphere of the team has been excellent and all the boys are right behind the skipper. We are ambitious and motivated enough to win the tournament," Wasim, who captained Pakistan in the 1996 and 1999 World Cups, remarked.

Wasim, the only bowler with 400 or more wickets in both the forms of the game, said his team had done everything right until Friday.

"Although we lost on Thursday, but that counts for nothing. We have done everything right - trained extremely hard, had long nets and talked a lot about how to beat the opponents and win the World Cup. But once again, it is a long tournament and we have to stay focused."

Wasim was Man-of-the-Final when Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 when he clobbered a rapid 35 odd and picked up three wickets. But this time, he just wants to be in the final.

"I am desperate to be in the final and that's the goal I have set for myself. I don't mind whosoever be the Man-of-the-Final this time, but I want to see Pakistan in the final. And if we achieve that, I think I will retire from cricket as probably the most satisfied cricketer who achieved everything in the game," a committed Wasim said.

Wasim refused to predict Pakistan's opponent in the final, but said he was expecting Australia, South Africa and the West Indies as the other semifinalists.

"I think South Africa have a huge home advantage. But at the same time they must be under tremendous pressure as it is being projected here as if they have already won the tournament. That is a big pressure as the expectations are already too much and I have seen teams succumbing to these undue pressures," he said, obviously hinting at Pakistan's surprise elimination in the 1987 World Cup semifinal at Lahore.

Wasim said he saw his role as a mentor and inspirational leader in this tournament.

"Obviously I have played the maximum number of games for the country and the boys look at me for inspiration and guidance. This gives me added motivation to perform better than before. I am geared up and feel more charged up than maybe in the last few months," the veteran of 350 one-day internationals said.

Wasim, on the game against India, emphasised that it would be just another game of cricket.

"I know that it is being billed as an explosive match. But for us, it is going to be just another game. We will play as hard as we have played before and although we have not beaten them in the World Cup, we have enjoyed excellent success against them in the last few years. I believe now we have all the tools to break the jinx this time."

Samiul Hasan
Media Manager
Pakistan Cricket Team
February 8, 2003