Former prime minister and team captain Imran Khan on Sunday wished the national cricket team well ahead of its Twenty20 World Cup final and advised them to play "with an attacking mindset" and reminded them the nation's prayers were with them.
The 2009 champions had suffered last-ball losses to India and Zimbabwe to start their tournament but bounced back to surge into Sunday's final against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Imran shared the same piece of advice today that he said he had shared 30 years ago ahead of the 1992 Worl Cup final and told them to "enjoy the day as one rarely gets to play in a world cup final".
My msg to Pak cricket team today is the same I gave our team in the 1992 World Cup Final. First: enjoy the day as one rarely gets to play in a World Cup final & don't get overawed by it. Second: you will win if you are willing to take risks & can cash in on mistakes by opponents;
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 13, 2022
He also told the green shirts to keep a check on their nerves and not "get overawed" by the event. More importantly, he encouraged the players to take risks and "cash in" on the mistakes of the opponent team which he said meant playing with "an attacking mindset".
That means playing with an attacking mindset. Good luck; the whole nation is praying for your success.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 13, 2022
"The whole nation is praying for your success," he added.
While speaking to Piers Morgan in his 'TalkTV' show on Wednesday, Imran had expressed high hopes for the Pakistan national cricket team winning the tournament. "I think our team looks good. I think we might just win the final."
Read England crush India to set up T20 World Cup final clash against Pakistan
It may be noted that Babar Azam -- the Pakistani team captain -- had expressed a similar mindset on Saturday when he said "I'm more excited than nervous... it is no doubt that pressure exists, but it can only be suppressed with confidence and belief in ourselves. And for good results it is important that one must do so."
Pakistan are slight underdogs against Jos Buttler's England, but Azam is banking on the strength of his fast bowlers to give them an edge, particularly in the six-over powerplay.
"England is a competitive team, their (10-wicket) win to reach the finals against India was a proof of that," he said.
"Our strategy is to stick to our plan and use our pace attack as our strength to win the finals.
"Utilising the powerplay to grab as many wickets will be essential for the match."
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