Karachi: Pakistan’s cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan is clear in his mind that in an India-Pakistan match the side that handles the pressure best will emerge as the win.
“There is no doubt that a match between Pakistan and India is always a high pressure one and it is all about keeping your nerves in these circumstances,” Imran told reporters in Islamabad.
The legendary allrounder, who guided Pakistan to its only World Cup title win in 1992, said the greenshirts had lost the 2011 semi-final in Mohali because of pressure.
“Our defeat in the last World Cup semis was also because we couldn’t take the pressure,” he said.
Imran, who took part in many thrilling encounters against India, felt both teams were equally balanced with their own merits and demerits.
“In the end it is all about holding your nerves and nothing else,” said Imran, who also saw India win against them in the 92′ event.
India’s overconfidence may let them down:Shoaib
Meanwhile, former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar feels that having never lost to Pakistan in a cricket World Cup, India could lose Sunday’s opening encounter against their arch-rivals due to overconfidence.
“While Pakistan has never beaten India in a World Cup, the Indian team may be done in this time for being overconfident. If Pakistan can setup a big target, it could be difficult for India to chase it down with Pakistan’s bowling attack,” said Akhtar, who is one of the experts on Star Sports Hindi.
A lot has been talked about India’s dominance over Pakistan in a World Cup. A recent TV advertisement on a Pakistani fan, waiting with a box of crackers, for a Pakistan win since 1992, has drawn huge reactions across the border.
Even Pakistan spinner, Saeed Ajmal, who could not make it to their World Cup squad, has claimed a 5-1 overall for India Pakistan this time around.
Akhtar, 39, though did praise the Indian batting for it’s maturity.
“India have a good batting attack and Pakistani batting line up needs to put up a mature show to win this. Pakistan batsmen do not possess that maturity yet, and their batsmen are unable to build big innings like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli of India, who convert their 50’s into 100’s and big scores,” the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ said. Talking about Pakistan’s team balance, Akhtar, who represented Pakistan in 47 Tests and 163 ODIs between 1997 and 2011, said, “Haris Sohail should come one down instead of Younis, followed by Misbah and Umar Akmal. The ODI format is overwhelming for him now and he seems to slow the team down.” (PTI)
