Sydney, Feb 8 (IANS) The last time the World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand, a certain Imran Khan-led Pakistan side clinched its maiden quadrennial cricket title.
However, it is 2015 and not 1992 but the highly talented and dangerous team would want to repeat the same result as they did 23 years ago.
Pakistan this time around are not the favourites. They don't have many stars in their line-up. To add to their troubles, a couple of their top players have been ruled out of the tournament.
Nevertheless, their traditional unpredictability remains their biggest strength, something which has always aided them in the past.
The Misbah ul Haq-led side go into the 11th edition of the ICC World Cup with a handful of issues.
The withdrawals of all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan from the mega event have come as a severe blow to their chances. Though their ace spinner Saeed Ajmal was recently cleared of having a legal bowling action by the International Cricket Council (ICC), his match-fitness remains a big question.
Also, their 0-2 loss to hosts New Zealand in the latest bilateral One-Day International (ODI) series in the build-up to the World Cup have not helped in the quest for a strong preparation.
Despite the problems, the 40-year-old Misbah will still give his best to inspire Pakistan like Imran did in 1992, when they came from nowhere to eventually lift the world title at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Misbah, like Imran in 1992, had announced well in advance that the World Cup will be his last ODI tournament and the veteran would want to finish his career on a high.
Pakistan's bowling has been their traditional strength. The seven-foot-tall Mohammed Irfan and proven match-winner Wahab Riaz, both left armers, will lead their pace attack with Ajmal expected to reach match fitness as the tournament progresses.
Veteran Shahid Afridi is one of the key players who has to perform if Pakistan want to move ahead in the showpiece event. His stinging spin bowling backed by his 'boom, boom' batting always makes him a ready-made match-winner.
However, Pakistan have been grouped in Pool B along with South Africa, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and defending champions India. Their opening match will be against India at the Adelaide Oval Feb 15 and Pakistan would want to set their record straight.
In five World Cup meetings, the last being the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, Pakistan have never been able to beat India. The match could very well decide the momentum of the group at the quadrennial event.
They are coached by legendary speedster Waqar Younis, who missed out the 1992 World Cup due to an injury and who would want to add the trophy to his cabinet. Pakistan views the tournament being held in Australia and New Zealand as a good omen.
The 1992 champions hope to repeat their success achieved 23 summers ago, when they lifted the World Cup Down Under against all odds, at the dawn of coloured clothing, day-and-night matches and video referrals.
This Pakistan side does not possess the stars that they had in 1992 but with potentially dangerous cricketers, they can beat the best on any given day. They are not the favourites, but clearly no team will ever take them lightly.
The squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Misbah ul Haq (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan.
Hearing in SC on Central Vista construction, the lawyer said- How can medical emergency, construction work in the country?
The Central Vista Construction case was heard in the Supreme Court. Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the petitioner during the hearing, said, "When there are circumstances of a medical
Have stated my position earlier: Manmohan Singh
New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said he has made his position clear to the CBI on the allocation of coal blocks."I have respect for the judicial
Home Ministry bans Lashkar-e-Taiba's sister organization 'The Resistance Front', declares Abu Khubayb terrorist
The Home Ministry on Thursday banned The Resistance Front (TRF), a front organization of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The TRF
The biggest rail project on the border, this scared China: The train will reach the throat of China from the belly of the Himalayas; Learn 4 reasons for the restlessness of the Chinese army
I am at present in Karnprayag of Chamoli district. Like Tawang, Galvan, Doklam of the China border, it is a sensitive place, but less known or in fewer headlines. The Barahoti border is only a few
Rain Updates: Flood and rain havoc in eight states, 44 deaths in 24 hours, 39 NDRF teams deployed
Torrential rains and floods have caused massive devastation in seven states of North India and the Union Territory of Delhi. All major rivers are in spate in Himachal, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir,
UP Election 2022: Home Minister Amit Shah said in Gorakhpur workers' conference - no matter how hard the opposition tries, BJP will get more than 300 seats
In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah, who was engaged in a campaign to encourage the activists along with giving an edge to the campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party,
PM Modi will address the All India Conference of Law Ministers and Secretaries today, the program being held in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the All India Conference of Law Ministers and Law Secretaries through video conference today. The two-day conference is being hosted
Asaduddin Owaisi slams Maharashtra govt, says no issue obtrude on madrasas
Last day when an iftiar party was organised by party workers in Merrut, on the occassion AIMIM chief Owaisi said by slammed the Maharashtra Government's decission that “No issue obtrude on
Water crisis in Delhi: LG said- UP-Haryana is giving water of the prescribed quota, this is the result of mismanagement of water shortage
The Lieutenant Governor and the Delhi Government are once again at loggerheads over the issue of water in the capital. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena alleged that the Delhi Government's irresponsible
Australia favourites against India: Brett Lee
Sydney, March 24 (IANS) One of the fastest bowlers of all time Brett Lee on Tuesday said that Australia will come out as the winners in the cricket World Cup semifinal against India at the Sydney
