JOIN US In what can only be termed as an attempt to play a psychological game, Waqar Younis said that India were feeling the heat ahead of their marquee clash against Pakistan. India, more or less, will be out of the tournament if they lose to Pakistan on Saturday, having already lost to New Zealand in their opener.
“That’s the advantage that you are going to get,” pointed out Waqar. “That is what I am trying to explain over here, that they have lost the last game, they must be worried that they can go out, that’s a huge worry, playing in your own country, such a huge tournament. I am sure that they are feeling the heat. It is an added pressure on them not on us. And Kolkata, as I said, we have played really well in the past and we have won the last game (here against Bangladesh). I think that monkey on our backs is off now, so hopefully we will deliver the goods,” the Pakistan coach remarked.
Pakistan, so far, have enjoyed the hospitality here with the crowd too backing them during their game against Bangladesh and he hoped to get similar treatment even if they beat India on Saturday.
“We felt (welcome here) it in the last game. Probably after the statement of (Shahid) Afridi which was brought into controversy and brought into newspapers and all over – we felt that we were very welcome. The crowd was really behind us against Bangladesh. I know it is not going to be behind us against India, but yes that is the positive we are going to take and we are going to try to play the best cricket,” he offered.
Waqar also agreed it will be a direct contest between Indian batting and Pakistan bowling. “I think you can say that,” he began. “The entire world knows that we have got a pace attack that can change a game with one spell or one good over. So I think we are going to take it as a positive sign. Pitch is really good, I must say that. We have got a good bowling attack but we need runs on the board I guess.”
Waqar felt that pieces were falling into place so far as Pakistan’s batting was concerned. “We made 200 in the last game, so we feel confident about it. I don’t want to say that our batting is iffy because no one else has made 200 in this tournament. All batsmen are in good form. (Mohammad) Hafeez made runs, Umar (Akmal) didn’t get that many opportunities but Afridi’s runs and bowling, it is a real plus for me,” he said.