Pakistan v Kenya LIVE match preview: Men in Green looking to win ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan v Kenya: After all the controversies in recent times, it is about time Team Pakistan start concentrating on achieving something big as they take on Kenya tomorrow in their opening match of the ICC World Cup 2011 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
Pakistani team’s performance on the recent tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 has given some hope to the cricket fans of the country after a disastrous year of 2010.
Pakistan had a very good World Cup of 1999 when they reached the final of the event under the inspirational leadership of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292.
However, the next two World Cups in 2003 and 2007 could not have been worse for Pakistan as they were eliminated in the first round of both the events. On top of that, Pakistani coach, Bob Woolmer, was found dead in his hotel room after a horrific defeat against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 Irish side in the previous edition of the tournament.
After both the World Cups, Pakistan cricket had to go through a re-building phase.
Apart from their failures, another similarity in Pakistan’s campaigns in 2003 and 2007 have been the fact that they visited http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s team confidence before the mega events.
However, the situation is very different now as Pakistan had a successful tour of New Zealand, which has boosted the morale of Pakistani players.
The former champions of the most illustrious tournament of the cricketing world would love to repeat their performance of the 1992 World Cup where they came from no-where and were crowned as world champions.
Imran Khan and Javed Miandad played the role of mentors during that tournament for their young team, which was jolted with injuries to their premier players, Waqar Younis, and, Saeed Anwar.
The situation is quite similar with the current Pakistani team as they have been badly hampered by the lengthy bans on three of their key players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.
The likes of Afridi, Younis, Misbah and Abdul Razzaq might not have the stature of Imran Khan or http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580 but Pakistani cricket fans would be hoping that they can play the same role in the ICC World Cup 2011.
Pakistan’s team seems to have peaked at the right time and have found a very good combination recently in the limited overs format of the game with a beautiful blend of youth and experience.
Waqar Younis and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 can carry on with the same momentum that they got against the Black Caps.
Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq and the Akmal brothers would have to lead the Cornered Tigers in the batting department if they are to do well in the mega event.
On the other hand, the onus would be on Umar Gul and the skipper to lead the way in the bowling department.
Pakistan’s performance in any big event can be measured by the way they field, if they field well in this tournament, they surely have a high chance of surprising some of the hot-favourites of this tournament.
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