Pakistan to avoid repeat of upsets

Pakistan face minnows Kenya in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday, desperate to atone for their tragedy-hit 2007 tournament. Four years ago, Pakistan suffered an embarrassing three-wicket defeat at the hands of outsiders Ireland in Kingston and crashed out in the first round. As if the humiliation was not enough, their English coach Bob Woolmer died the very next day, threatening the World Cup and putting the players under investigation by the Jamaican police who initially treated the death as murder.

Even after the death was declared as due to natural causes, Pakistani players came in for severe criticism from home fans who wanted them punished for their first round exit — their second in as many events.

“There have been so many upsets in the World Cup in the past, like the one against Ireland four years ago, so we have that in mind and we will be on our toes in every match, be it Kenya or Sri Lanka,” Afridi told AFP.

The current Pakistan squad has only four survivors from that Irish defeat — Younis Khan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal — but Afridi said no player has forgotten the shattering loss.

“It can happen any time if you are not focused, and the defeat against Ireland can never be forgotten. So we need to be at our best and give nothing to our rivals,” said Afridi, who sat out that match due to a ban.

Not even Kenya’s abject 10-wicket surrender to New Zealand in a Group A match in Chennai on Sunday, makes Afridi feel at ease.

AFP