Former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 and his team like heroes
Former Pakistan cricketers have urged that Shahid Afridi and his team should be welcomed like heroes when they return home on Friday despite their 29-run loss to archrivals http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final on Wednesday.
“We need to support this team and appreciate their performance,” said the former Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580. “They made mistakes and dropped catches in the semi-final and that cost them the match. But to reach the last-four stage was
in itself a big achievement.”
Miandad, who was member of the 1992 World Cup winning squad, said that the Pakistan players did not become subject of any controversy throughout the tournament which is a very good sign for Pakistan cricket which witnessed a tumultuous period
of 12 months going into the mega event.
He further added that the side played competitive cricket and gave their best in the tournament. Miandad was optimistic of the future of Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan cricket team did not have a strong build-up to the showpiece event and there were few to bet on the Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 winning the mega event. They were not even favourites to reach the final four but the team stunned the critics by finishing
the league stage at the top of their group.
Four years ago in 2007, the Inzamam-ul-Haq-led Pakistan cricket team returned home amidst anger of fans after their humiliating first-round exit from the World Cup. Miandad urged the Pakistan fans to laud Afridi and his men as they have
exceeded the expectations.
Another former captain and middle-order veteran batsman of Pakistan, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Inzamam-ul-Haq-c64383 also hailed the Pakistan team for their outstanding performance in the showpiece event. He added that had the side not dropped Sachin Tendulkar’s catches
in the semi-final, the outcome could have been different.
Former wicketkeeper-batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084 praised the way the team surfaced after the humiliating spot-fixing saga. He said that the young Pakistan players showed a lot of grit and proved themselves at the big stage. He also hailed Afridi
for bringing unity in the team.
Former Pakistan captain, Moin http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 also urged the nation not to be angry with the team.
“Let's not be despondent or angry with this team. It has some outstanding players who will ensure a bright future for Pakistan cricket,” said the veteran wicketkeeper. “The great thing about the match was the way it united us and proved
how powerful cricket can be as a unifying tool.”
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