Shahid Afridi-Waqar Younis focusing on bigger goals after success in New Zealand
The triumphant Pakistan team returned home after scoring ODI and test series wins over New Zealand. The men in green were in top form in the limited overs contest winning the bi-lateral series 3-2, while Misbah-Ul-Haq led the
test team to a 1-0 win in the two match series.
The team arrived at the Karachi airport where, as usual, a strong presence of media greeted them. Afridi, who won a close race to captain the team for the World Cup with Misbah, stated that the performance against the Kiwis in
their own homeland would go a long way in helping the team prepare for the biggest tournament in limited overs cricket; the event kicks-off with the opening match between India and Bangladesh set to take place on the 19th of this month.
Afridi added that the win in New Zealand was possible due to a combined team performance by all members of the squad.
"What has given us the confidence to do well in the World Cup is that nearly every player contributed towards our series win in New Zealand," Afridi told reporters at Karachi airport on Monday. "You can never expect to win depending
on just one or two players. Every player has to contribute in some way."
Meanwhile the Pakistan think tank has brushed aside the concerns that the team was distracted with the spot-fixing controversy that resulted in heavy bans on Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. The trio, which was an
integral part of the team in the test and ODI format, with Amir a certain selection even in T20, are set to miss cricket for at least 5 years after the verdict was announced in Doha last Saturday.
Afridi thinks that the team has the potential and the depth to perform in the World Cup without these players, he added that the current bunch was mentally tough and hungry for more success.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the head coach, fast bowling legend Waqar Younis, he stated that the events in Doha did not distract the players much.
"It is important that it's finished now and we can start afresh," said Waqar, who had been coach during the England series last year when the spot-fixing scandal erupted. "A lot of controversies affected Pakistan cricket, I am
happy that it's over now.
He added that he had complete faith in the abilities of the current squad; he thinks that they have it in them to go all the way and lift the trophy.
Waqar has a personal score to settle with the World Cup tournament, the Burewala Express pulled out on the eve of the 1992 event due to a back-injury and Pakistan went on to win the tournament. In 1996 he was hailed the villain
when Ajay Jadeja tore into him in the quarter-final game at Bangalore helping India to a big total.
He led the team to the event in 2003, unfortunately the team was bundled out of the first round and Waqar announced his retirement after failing to regain his spot in the team for the rest of the year.
He hopes that the current bunch would not disappoint him and finally he would get the glory that has always deserted him on the biggest stage of 50 overs cricket.
Waqar feels that the wins in New Zealand and the narrow loss to South Africa augurs well for his team that is going into the tournament with good momentum, which can take them through to the title.
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