We are bunched in an extremely tough group: Moin Khan
Head coach hopes nation would rally behind the team in World T20.
Pakistan’s head coach Moin Khan. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan’s head coach Moin Khan was aware of the enormity of the task for his team in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Twenty20 event set to start tomorrow in Bangladesh.
“We are bunched in a very tough group; India, Australia and the West Indies are tough opponents. Secondly the nature of this format makes the tournament even tougher,” stated Khan during an interview prior to the team’s departure for Dhaka on the night of March 13.
The former Pakistan captain and member of the 1992 One Day World Cup winning team added that the support of the fans was really important for his charges.
“The fans must be fully behind the team, we can ensure you that we will fight till the very end, that I can assure, but the results are not in our hands”.
‘World Cup 1999 defeat was a horrific experience’
Moin who was also part of the team that crashed to an ignominious defeat against Australia in the 1999 World Cup final recalled the bitter experience he and his fellow players faced at the end of the tournament.
“It was really tough to return home, I remember we had to shun our kits and blazers as we feared the wrath of the fans on our arrival, we were the number two team in the world but no one cared in Pakistan, they castigated us for one defeat. I hope that the fans won’t react the same way if we are defeated [in the WorldT20]”
Pakistan will play archrivals India in the opening match of the main round of the tournament, the tie will take place in Mirpur on March 21.
The two teams were involved in a pulsating game at the same venue in the Asia Cup earlier in the month; Shahid Afridi’s last over heroics saved the day for the men in green then.
“We are bunched in a very tough group; India, Australia and the West Indies are tough opponents. Secondly the nature of this format makes the tournament even tougher,” stated Khan during an interview prior to the team’s departure for Dhaka on the night of March 13.
The former Pakistan captain and member of the 1992 One Day World Cup winning team added that the support of the fans was really important for his charges.
“The fans must be fully behind the team, we can ensure you that we will fight till the very end, that I can assure, but the results are not in our hands”.
‘World Cup 1999 defeat was a horrific experience’
Moin who was also part of the team that crashed to an ignominious defeat against Australia in the 1999 World Cup final recalled the bitter experience he and his fellow players faced at the end of the tournament.
“It was really tough to return home, I remember we had to shun our kits and blazers as we feared the wrath of the fans on our arrival, we were the number two team in the world but no one cared in Pakistan, they castigated us for one defeat. I hope that the fans won’t react the same way if we are defeated [in the WorldT20]”
Pakistan will play archrivals India in the opening match of the main round of the tournament, the tie will take place in Mirpur on March 21.
The two teams were involved in a pulsating game at the same venue in the Asia Cup earlier in the month; Shahid Afridi’s last over heroics saved the day for the men in green then.