ISLAMABAD – Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has vowed to remind his players ofthe “cornered tigers” spirit which Imran Khan instilled in his team-matesto win the 1992 World Cup.
An 89-run defeat by arch rivals India in Manchester on Sunday has leftPakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals hanging by a thread,with only minnows Afghanistan below them in the 10-team table.
Yet Pakistan now find themselves in exactly the same position as when theywon the 1992 World Cup — a tournament which, like this one, featured around-robin group phase.
They now have three points from five matches with only one win — asurprise success against hosts England — three defeats and a no-result.
As happened in 1992, Pakistan started this World Cup with a defeat by theWest Indies.
But 27 years ago they had a famous rained-off match against England atAdelaide and that single point gained from the washout helped Pakistansneak into the semi-final.
Then they beaten minnows Zimbabwe and lost to South Africa and India beforedefeating Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in their last three groupmatches.
Pakistan also had to rely on Australia beating the West Indies to claim thelast semi-final spot, where they downed co-hosts New Zealand beforeupstaging England in a Melbourne final.
Khan, now the prime minister of Pakistan, had famously worn a T-shirt with”cornered tigers” written on it and said at the toss he wanted his playersto play like tigers.
Arthur lamented Pakistan’s start to this World Cup by telling AFP: “It isdisappointing to be in such a position.
“We can’t change the past but can influence the future and I willdefinitely remind my players of the spirit of ‘cornered tigers’,” theexperienced South African coach added.
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But Pakistan’s task will be tougher than in 1992 as they have to not onlywin their last four matches but also improve their inferior net run-rate ofminus 1.93.
They will also have to hope other results go their way.
Pakistan next play South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday before facing NewZealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Arthur, whose contract will be reviewed after the World Cup, said he willdo his best to lift the team.
“I will be doing everything I can and using all my experience to make thishappen,” he said.
Arthur, who guided Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title, said: “Ilove this team. I love Pakistan so I will definitely use all my experienceto inspire this team.”
Sunday’s reverse meant Pakistan have lost all seven of their World Cupmatches against India.
But they also lost a group match to their fellow subcontinental cricketgiants in 1992.
“We are extremely disappointed with the defeat but we have to put it behindus and stand together and come back strong,” Arthur said. -APP/AFP
