LONDON – Wahab Riaz called on Pakistan’s World Cup strugglers to sticktogether as they prepare to face South Africa in a must-win game at Lord’son Sunday.
Pakistan have only three points from five games and to make the semi-finalsthey are likely to need to win their four remaining games and improve theirnet run-rate, while hoping other results go their way.
Pakistan pace-man Riaz insists his team-mates realise the importance of thedo-or-die game and he hopes displaying a united front against South Africawill spark a strong performance.
“We have to lift ourselves,” Wahab told reporters. “We are each other’sstrength. We are all good friends and know that only 15 of us can lift theteam which not even our family members can do.”
Pakistan’s defeat against arch rivals India last weekend sparked adepressing few days, not only for the team but also millions of fans backhome.
Team management gave Pakistan’s players time off to unwind and come backrefreshed after the India game.
And Riaz insisted his team-mates realise the mistakes they have made so farand are determined to make amends.
“Good teams are the ones who realises their mistakes, so we have discussedall those mistakes and a two day break has refreshed us,” he said.
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But the 33-year-old, who took three wickets in Pakistan’s shock win overpre-tournament favourites England, admitted the bowling unit needs to workharder.
“As a bowling unit we are trying hard, We are all focused to do well in theSouth Africa match. You need wickets upfront in England but we were notgetting that,” Riaz said.
Riaz singled out middle-order slumps for Pakistan’s downfall againstAustralia and India — both in chasing 300-plus targets.
“We were going well in batting in both the games but lost crucial wicketsand got derailed,” said Wahab of Pakistan’s collapses.
Pakistan slumped to 160-6 after being 136-2 against Australia, while theylost four wickets in the space of 18 balls and 12 runs against India.-APP/AFP
