Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif tagged India as “favourites” for the World Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Pakistan but said an attacking team stood more chance of victory at Mohali.
India, winners in 1983, meet the 1992 champions Pakistan in the semi-final on Wednesday, a match which has already left millions of fans across the border in frenzy. Latif said India on their home ground will be favourites.
“India in India are favourites, there is no doubt,” said Latif. “But as a unit, Pakistan have been very composed in this World Cup, so the team which attacks more will win.”
Pakistan topped their group with five victories and one defeat, while India lost to South Africa and tied their match against England besides winning the four other matches. India ended Australia’s 12-year domination when they beat the defending champions by five wickets in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Pakistan overwhelmed the West Indies by 10 wickets in the last-eight stage on Wednesday.
Latif, a member of the Pakistan team that lost to India in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals, said losing to their rivals is always painful.
“I was part of that game and I still feel the pain,” said Latif of Pakistan’s 39-run defeat at Bangalore. “People have not forgotten that match even after 15 years. Every player wants to be remembered in history and an Indo-Pak encounter is an ideal opportunity to reach stardom in a flash.”
Latif hoped current Pakistan coach Waqar Younis gets a chance of revenge against India.
“No one can understand the agony better than Waqar and he is lucky to have another chance to erase the bitter memories”, said Latif of the former paceman who went for 67 in his 10 overs in that game.
Meanwhile, Latif also urged the management to include Shoaib Akhtar in the semi-final line-up.
“Akthar has always been a team man, and his aggression and zeal, while playing against our arch-rivals, could be beneficial, and I feel the management is aware of this,” said Latif of the paceman who will retire after the World Cup. “With the unity amongst the players, this team stands a good chance against India. The Akmal brothers, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Younus Khan will be the players to watch.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2011.
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