Imran Khan meets and advises senior players

Former captain Imran Khan had a pep talk with the think tank of the World Cup-bound Pakistan cricket team that leaves for South Africa on January 24. The players, who called on their former captain Sunday morning in Islamabad, included skipper Waqar Younis, vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram.

"It was an excellent meeting that lasted three hours and discussions on various cricket issues were held. Imran shared his mind with the players who were also frank on their part," Pakistan Cricket Board's GM Cricket Operations, Zakir Khan, who arranged the meeting, said;

"Imran discussed the game plans, strategies, pressures of World Cup and how to handle them, team selections, field placings and most importantly, laid stress on playing as a team. Imran told the three players that he was convinced that the present side had the capability and tenacity to win the World Cup.

"Imran went on to the extent to say that the present boys were more talented and experienced then the ones he took to Australia 11 years ago. He emphasized that they should keep themselves so focused that nothing could distract them from their target. He said there would be several pressures that would be applied on the team, mostly by the foreign media. He told the boys that similar things happened to him (in 1992) but he didn't allow his players to deviate from their goal and the rest is all history.

"Imran advised Waqar that his and the team's motto should be 'never say die' and don't concede the match until it is over. But at the same time, Imran urged the three players to unite the team under one umbrella and get best performance out of them and bow out as heroes. He told the boys that they were the senior players and had the responsibility to lead by example.

"Imran's open discussion with the players did leave boys motivated and geared up as they promised their mentor that they would put in their best to make the nation proud," Zakir concluded.

PCB contact:
Samiul Hasan
General Manager - Media
Mobile: + 92 300 8424389
January 19, 2003