Pakistan aim to continue winning momentum

KARACHI: After finishing on top of Group A and ending Australia's unbeaten run in World Cup matches, Pakistan battle it out against the West Indies where a defeat means a return ticket home.

The 1992 champions have resolved to carry on the momentum and avoid any sort of complacency that might have crept in after they outclassed the defending champions, according to the team manager Intikhab Alam.
We can't afford complacency: Alam “West Indies are tough like any other major team in this World Cup,“ said Alam prior to the team's departure for Dhaka.

“We can't afford any complacency and all the players need to give 100 per cent in the match.

“West Indies have qualified after showing some good per formances specifically their win against hosts Bangladesh was very impressive. They also have some match winners and we are wary of their threat.“

Alam, a former captain, was also satisfied with the way the players were gearing up for their first knockout match.

“Players are working very hard and their morale has been boosted especially after defeating Australia.“

In case of a Pakistan win in the last-eight match, the 1999 runners-up will meet either hosts India or Australia in the semi-finals in Mohali but the Group A leaders are not looking too far ahead.

“Our focus at this time in the tournament is just on the quarter-final.

“We can tackle any opposition by carrying on the momentum and we are ready to play against any team.“

The manager said the team will hold a practice session in Dhaka today before the management meets to discuss the likely combination for their next match against the West Indies. `We'll play every match like a final' In the meantime, Pakistan vice-captain Misbahul Haq has promised an all-out effort in the all-important knockout stages of the mega event. “We are aware of the importance of every match,“ the vice captain told reporters in Colombo after handing over defending champions Australia a shock defeat.

“We will play every single game like the final because a bad performance will knock us out.

“The win against Australia was a morale-booster and I am hopeful the team would continue its winning run.“

The vice captain was also delighted on the support his team received in the group matches in Sri Lanka.

“We enjoyed great support from the crowd especially against Australia and it felt like we were playing at home.“ PLEA International cricket should return: Misbah Meanwhile, Misbah has pleaded the global community to help in the return of international cricket to Pakistan. International matches have eluded Pakistan since the attack on the Sri Lanka team in March 2009, following which the country lost hosting of several home series besides major events including the ongoing World Cup.
“We are a cricket-crazy nation and international matches should return to Pakistan. I am hopeful a good result in the World Cup will help our cause.“