ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
'Focus only on quarter'
Bishwajit Roy
A lot may anticipate a possible mouthwatering clash between two traditional subcontinent rivals in the semifinals, but Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi definitely was not among them as he was very much focused on their task at hand -- today's quarterfinal challenge against West Indies.
Understandably there was no shortage of confidence when the Pakistan skipper was speaking at a packed pre-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday, ahead of the day-night last eight clash against the inconsistent Caribbean. But the all-rounder was still very cautious about his opponents though his team definitely go into the match with the tag of 'hot favourites' following five wins in six matches, including a morale-boosting victory over defending champions Australia. Pakistan team put all their off the field controversies aside by putting up impressive performances in the group stage and gave the impression that they were here to do something.
"First of all I want to focus on tomorrow's game. Our entire focus is on winning the quarterfinal. I don't know what will happen in the semis. But I am just focusing on the quarterfinal first and then I will talk about an India-Pakistan game if they qualify for the semifinals," said Afridi when asked about a possible Indo-Pak showdown in the last four in Mohali.
The Pakistan skipper however was confident enough about his team's, who last played in the semifinals in 1999, chances of playing in the next game.
"When I came here before the tournament, I said I want to see my team in the semifinals and my team is capable of reaching there," said Afridi, adding that expectation back home is high after their success in the group stage, especially their heroic effort to break Australia's unbeaten streak of 34 World Cup matches.
"Definitely expectation is more now, especially after the victory against Australia, I think we are feeling more confident now and it's a good sign before the quarterfinal, so we all are very confident," he said, adding that hard work was the key behind his team's success so far in the tournament and particularly the bowlers played a vital role.
West Indies finished the first phase on same six points as Bangladesh but qualified for the quarterfinals on superior run-rate and the way their batting collapsed from good positions against England and India, made many doubt their semifinal chances, especially when they were going to face an efficient Pakistan bowling attack.
"Every team is well prepared for this competition. Like I said before, if you look at any team like Netherlands and Ireland, they all are well prepared for this competition. We can't underestimate any team, and in a match like quarterfinal, I don't think like that. We will not take the West Indies lightly because any team is capable of winning on their day and there is no second chance in a knock-out match. I think they are a very good side," said Afridi, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17.
Afridi however was hardly bothered about the fact that West Indies bowled Bangladesh out for 58 runs in their last match at Mirpur, saying: "That was Bangladesh and this is Pakistan, match is different, team is different, condition is different for us as well, we played two games, especially a warm-game against Bangladesh. So we know the condition, we know the pitch how it will play."
Speedster Shoaib Akthar's chances of playing the game appeared slim as the Pakistan skipper said that he was not willing to break the winning combination.
"I told you before we want to go with the winning combination. But we will see, but I think we are happy with this winning combination," he said.
The Pakistan captain was also looking forward to coming good with the bat in the semifinals.
"I am not really performing well with the bat, but I know all the important games are coming. So I will be more focused. I know how important my batting is for my team. So let's see," said a confident Afridi.
