Pakistan’s tour of India: Inzamam warns against fans’ distraction
Focused Pakistan can beat India in their backyard, says former captain.
KARACHI:
Former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq feels that Pakistan have the right ingredients and attitude to beat India on their home soil providing the players stay focused on the game only.
The legendary batsman said that the tour of India is always a huge thing for Pakistan cricket and the players must stay focused in order to achieve good results on the tour which comprises two Twenty20s and three One-Day Internationals between December 25 and January 7.
“It is difficult to maintain focus on just cricket while you’re in India,” said the former captain. “There is a flurry of fans and it’s because of that the players may, sometimes, lose focus and get distracted.
There is also a trend there that fans invite players to their parties and lunches and offer a lot of money in return for attending. These players need to avoid all such things which cause distraction.
“I feel our team has the ability to beat India if the players keep their focus on the game. Although we lost to India in the World Twenty20, we have a good team in limited-overs cricket.”
Inzi ready to help national side
Meanwhile, the former captain reiterated his stance that he was ready to give his services to help the national side.
“There are weaknesses in our batting. I am ready to help the batsmen by using my vast experience,” said Inzamam before adding that he did not need coaching courses to be able to impart knowledge of the game. “I have 18 to 20 years experience of international cricket. One definitely learns a lot and gets trained by playing at the highest level for such a long time.”
No added pressure, says Malik
Meanwhile, another former captain and middle-order batsman Shoaib Malik ruled out any extra pressure of playing in India.
“I just take it as a normal series,” said the former captain. “I don’t feel there is any extra pressure of playing in India. You need to treat them just like any other opposition.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2012.
Former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq feels that Pakistan have the right ingredients and attitude to beat India on their home soil providing the players stay focused on the game only.
The legendary batsman said that the tour of India is always a huge thing for Pakistan cricket and the players must stay focused in order to achieve good results on the tour which comprises two Twenty20s and three One-Day Internationals between December 25 and January 7.
“It is difficult to maintain focus on just cricket while you’re in India,” said the former captain. “There is a flurry of fans and it’s because of that the players may, sometimes, lose focus and get distracted.
There is also a trend there that fans invite players to their parties and lunches and offer a lot of money in return for attending. These players need to avoid all such things which cause distraction.
“I feel our team has the ability to beat India if the players keep their focus on the game. Although we lost to India in the World Twenty20, we have a good team in limited-overs cricket.”
Inzi ready to help national side
Meanwhile, the former captain reiterated his stance that he was ready to give his services to help the national side.
“There are weaknesses in our batting. I am ready to help the batsmen by using my vast experience,” said Inzamam before adding that he did not need coaching courses to be able to impart knowledge of the game. “I have 18 to 20 years experience of international cricket. One definitely learns a lot and gets trained by playing at the highest level for such a long time.”
No added pressure, says Malik
Meanwhile, another former captain and middle-order batsman Shoaib Malik ruled out any extra pressure of playing in India.
“I just take it as a normal series,” said the former captain. “I don’t feel there is any extra pressure of playing in India. You need to treat them just like any other opposition.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2012.