World Cup: Chance For Pakistan To Create History, Says Moin Khan
India have won all five of the World Cup games played against Pakistan, the first of which was played in Australia in 1992.
The burden of history will weigh heavily on Pakistani shoulders as they get ready to take on arch-rivals India on February 15. The men in blue have won all five of the World Cup games played between the two countries, the first of which was played in Australia 23 years ago. So will history repeat itself on Sunday? Former Pakistani captain Moin Khan doesn't seem to think so. In fact according to him, it is a great opportunity for the current bunch to set the record straight.
"Whenever we played India in World Cups they played well and deserved to win those games. But there is another opportunity for this new team. They can be the team that breaks that record. They could be the ones that make history", Moin told NDTV. (Hafeez Says he Could Have Recovered in Time for World Cup)
The former wicket-keeper is in Adelaide with the Pakistan team in his capacity as the chief selector. He was also a member of the 1992 team that won the World Cup in Australia under the leadership of Imran Khan. So who better to advice the current team on how to win on Australian soil than Moin himself.
"I've already conveyed my ideas to the team. The important thing to remember is that you have to play hard cricket in Australia. If you are not ready for a big challenge then you can't compete here. Not only physically, mentally too one needs to be very fit. If this Pakistan team can cope up with the pressure and the mental challenge, then I'm confident they can beat India", the 43 year old said. (Tendulkar Picks India Among Four Semifinalists)
Pakistan is the only team apart from Australia to have won both their World Cup warm-up matches. But whilst they've shown good form on the field, off the field some members of the team have run into a controversy. According to reports in the media, eight players, including Shahid Afridi and Ahmed Shehzad have been fined for breaching a team curfew ahead of their crucial World Cup game against India. Though Moin on his part, claimed to be unaware of any such development.
"I don't know about that. I am not aware of any such news." (Misbah, Afridi Target First World Cup Win vs India)
The report also claims that the eight guilty players have been warned that a repeat offence will see them being sent home on the first available flight. (India 5 Pakistan 0: Yeh Dil Mange More)