It’s cricket, not war, says Intikhab
Pakistan held their first training session before the semi-final at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. —Photo by AFP
CHANDIGARH: With the Pakistan-India semi-final being touted the ‘mother of all matches’ and the ‘final before the final,’ Intikhab Alam has reminded the media that it is just a cricket match after all.
Wary of the hype surrounding the match, the Pakistan manager reiterated that though fans in both countries have great emotions attached to the match, it is far from being a ‘war’ between the neighbours.
“Let it remain a cricket match and don’t make us feel like we are standing on a warfront,” Alam told reporters on Saturday.
Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning coach said the added hype will put unnecessary pressure on players ahead of the semi-final.
“Both teams cannot win and somebody has to lose but whichever team loses should lose gracefully.”
“We have to give a positive message,” Alam said indicating that cricket should emerge as a winner in the end.
Meanwhile, Pakistan held their first training session at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Saturday morning.
“We believe that we have the strongest bowling attack in the world at the moment,” Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez told reporters after the practice session.
“That is the key. Our bowling is our strength and our batsmen are just supporting them in whatever way is required.”
Pakistan have returned to India for the first time since 2007, and their manager underlined the need for an increased number of matches between the two countries.
“This is a blessing that we have come here to play cricket in India. This of course, is a special occasion, but I feel we should be playing more often.”
Cricketing ties between two countries were suspended in wake of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari to join him in watching match.
I agree with Inti, the indian media n pakistani media have made this game such a BIG deal…plz this is just a game …shd enjoy it …
It is unfortunate to see such a religious bravado concerning the cricket match. What has it got to do with the religion, is baffling to any one with a modicum of common sense.
People come on get real. It is a cricket match, remember a game, of honest fair play and no cheating. What are you doing praying for what? For some kind of unfair advantage ! O,Boy.
If it comes to praying, their are more like you (granted they do not think it has anything to do with praying) in India. You think your prayers are more potential than theirs. Anyway it is not a praying contest.
It is a game of skills and temperament and nerves. See who wins. May the best team wins, of course I shall in all honesty, feel emotionally better if Pakistan wins, but I would enjoy the game whoever wins. I do not see much point in praying unless you pray for both teams.
Shafiq
Pakistan was created for a good reason and for good purpose. We enjoyed freedom and we inspired the world. If there was no Pakistan- cricket offer little suspense and enjoyment.
I am very confident that our team will yield an excellent quality cricket. May Allah will be with our team and May Allah protect our country from every evil design. We respect our Indian neighbor and they should respect our country and give freed do our Muslim brethren in India. India should issue visas to watch this game. We all Pakistani in USA and around the world wish our team and our country. our prayers are always with you.
AA, you are being very political and emotional. By the way Allah alone has nothing to do with our performance…God helps those who help themselves. So lets not depend on God alone. The Muslims who stayed back in India did so on their own free will and are Indians by choice, and I respect that. They have to go with the rules of the land with all advantages and disadvantages.
Good One Sadick.
People need to have a sense to categorize the forum…putting a radical political comment in a sports column is not a sane thing.
But I will agree to AA that had Pakistan not been there then the spice of Cricket would never have been as it is now.