Akram backs Afridi’s ‘Pak should not play WC quarterfinal in India’ statement
March 4th, 2011 - 5:34 pm ICT by ANIKarachi, Mar 4(ANI): Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi is correct in saying that his team should top the World Cup group A to avoid playing its quarterfinal match in India, former skipper Wasim Akram has said.
“I agree with what Afridi and coach Waqar Younis have said that they would not like to play their quarterfinal in India,” The Nation quoted Akram, as saying from Colombo.
He said it would be better for Pakistan to play their quarterfinals in Sri Lanka or in Bangladesh.
“In these two countries Pakistan will get a lot of support and many Pakistani supporters will find it easier to reach these countries to back their team compared to India,” he explained, adding that there was always extra pressure on Pakistani players playing in India, and that is why they were looking at remaining in Sri Lanka till their quarterfinals.
“But I don’t think it will be a problem playing their semi-final or final in India because by that time the team would have played a knockout match and would be over their nerves,” said Akram.
He also advised the Pakistan team to avoid giving too many statements in the media.
“I think their main focus should be on cricket you don’t need to discuss everything in the media. There should be an element of secrecy about which team you are playing or if any player is unfit. No need to discuss everything in the press,” he said.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Australia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Canada. (ANI)
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Tags: bangladesh, cricket, element, extra pressure, India, kenya, knockout, limited overs, nerves, new zealand, pakistan team, quarterfinal match, quarterfinals, secrecy, shahid afridi, skipper, sri lanka, waqar, world cup, zimbabwe