'Banish all fear of losing': Pakistan's World Cup winning captain advises team ahead of India clash
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Hours before the highly anticipated World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan ─ who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup ─ advised the team to "banish all fear of losing, give your best and fight till the last ball".
In a series of tweets, the premier said that unless the pitch is damp, "Sarfaraz must win the toss and bat".
In the first tweet, Prime Minister Imran said that when he started his cricketing career, he had thought that success was made up of 70 per cent talent and 30 per cent mind. However, by the time he finished playing, the premier said that he realised that it was a 50-50 ratio.
He said that now he agreed with "his friend" Sunil Gavaskar that success was made up of 60 per cent mental strength and 40 per cent talent.
"Today, [the] role of mind will be more than 60pc," he added.
In the next tweet, the premier said: "Today, given the intensity of the match, both teams will come under great mental pressure and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match today. In Sarfaraz, we are fortunate to have a bold captain and today he will have to be at his daring best."
"All fears of losing should be banished from the mind as the mind can only process one thought at a time."
"In order to have a winning offensive strategy, Sarfaraz must go in with specialist batsmen and bowlers because 'Raillu Kattas' rarely perform under pressure ─ especially the intense kind that will be generated today."
He said that the fear of loss leads to a "negative and defensive strategy". "Crucially, [the] mistakes by opponents are not pounced upon".
Acknowledging that "India may be the favourites", the former cricketer said the team should "banish all fear of losing".
"Just give your best and fight till the last ball. Then accept whatever the result like true sportsmen. The nation's prayers are with all of you. Good Luck."
The eyes of more than a billion television viewers around the globe turned to Manchester as arch-rivals India and Pakistan met on Sunday at 2:30pm.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who arrived in Manchester at the end of his three-day visit to Turkey on Saturday, was seen watching the cricket match between Pakistan and India from the stands.
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Comments (117) Closed
Jun 16, 2019 01:03pm
Please don’t advise. We saw what happened last time you advised the team
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Jun 16, 2019 01:06pm
Khan, your advise will lead the team to disaster! Better keep silent and watch the match. World cup March 1992 was won by chance not by talent.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:07pm
So much advise can actually put a lot of pressure on the captain and the players. I believe a simple 'good luck' and 'we have faith in the team' would have done wonders.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:09pm
I can equate this to expectations of parents from kids when they are appearing some competitive exam. usually when parents say that they are backing their ward and have full faith in him or her to give their best irrespective of the outcome, it inspires confidence and helps a great deal in performing better. I wish I would have simply wished luck and provided words starting that they believe and have faith in their team. That's what the talented pakistani team needs. It doesn't need additional pressure
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Jun 16, 2019 01:13pm
After all its just a game.Why this much hype?
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Jun 16, 2019 01:17pm
May the 'Umpires' be with you
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Jun 16, 2019 01:18pm
Win toss & bat first is wicket is not damp.... Kohli did exactly opposite in CT17 final
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Jun 16, 2019 01:19pm
Can we expect such interest & series of twists on rising inflation, poor sufferers, people first then nation then our public image, rising loans,rising egos, ……etc etc
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Jun 16, 2019 01:19pm
Great Man IK. God Bless
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Jun 16, 2019 01:21pm
All they have to fear is the fear itself. Rest as they say will be history.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:26pm
Please make Imran Khan as the coach of Pakistani cricket team. This job suits him much better than his current job.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:27pm
India wins because of skills, Pakistan wins because of luck. So, the result is skills versus luck.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:27pm
True leader
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Jun 16, 2019 01:28pm
This much time he has to discuss Cricket too
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Jun 16, 2019 01:32pm
The legendary Captain PM Imran Khan and the Superhero of the 1992 world cup is giving his expert opinion. Pakistani cricket team should act on PM IK's advices.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:36pm
Finally, he tweets about something he knows something about. I wish he’d save the world the pain and stick to such topics.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:37pm
Stay silent and people might think you are wise.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:38pm
This guy was a captain in 92 and there was the whole team behind it, but the ego of Imran Khan is too much and he always use the word I rather than We while talking about success. He never gives the credit to the team, but rather steals the credit of the hard work of others.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:40pm
I strongly believe that IK should be head of PCB and not country.
People in the background should come to front and rule directly, at least this increases their accountability for the decisions they make.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:41pm
His 'friend' Gavaskar who refused to come to his inauguration
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Jun 16, 2019 01:44pm
@SkyHawk, What advise? Stay strong - work to your capacity - dont fear the loss. Like Imran Khan's 'generic buzz word laden domestic and foreign policies - so is his cricket advice. If he really wants to help maybe he should just tell on how not to drop catches!
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Jun 16, 2019 01:48pm
Why India does not have PM like IK? We miss such advice.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:52pm
While Afghanistan team is my favourite the next favourite is obviously India. England, WI, OZ, NZ, SA, SL & BD are of little consequence. PK perhaps third for being a bad neighbour but good at cricket.
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Jun 16, 2019 01:52pm
If we loose today because of our mistakes and if we win because Allah subhanahu wa tallah gives victory to those whom He wants. Ya Allah, Give victory to Pakistan. Everyone who reads this comments Say! AAMEEN
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Jun 16, 2019 01:55pm
Orakazai! When did you play cricket and to what level? How did you say that Imran lifted World Cup by chance and not by talent? I very much doubt if you know cricket more than Imran. It is internationally accepted and reckoned principle that fear itself is very much detrimental and destructive to be honest and therefore Imran very rightly advised our team to be fearless otherwise fear duly punctuated with pressure could be disastrous for us when playing against India. I as a true patriotic Pakistani wish that Pakistan should win the Cup and not just against India, aameen. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi.iqbalhadi@hotmail.com
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Jun 16, 2019 01:57pm
Raillu Kattas? Plz explain what is this.
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Jun 16, 2019 02:02pm
Mr Imran Khan, don't you think your country needs you for better things?
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Jun 16, 2019 02:02pm
So they do fear losing to India...hmmmm
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Jun 16, 2019 02:04pm
As PM said we have bold captain, Sir sorry to say we do not bold captain but we need technically sould captain who take decision according to the requirement of the situation. Correct decision at correct time. If so we can beat any team at any time.
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Jun 16, 2019 02:12pm
Go India Go....Go Rohit hit the sixes, go Kohli score a ton, go Bumrah bowl toe crushing yorkers. A die hard Mohajir fan of Indian Cricket team. If India wins today, we group of friends will have a treat in The White Biryani. (Hope they extend their closing hours tonight.)
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Jun 16, 2019 02:13pm
PM Niazi has a lot of free time to watch the full match. His Indian counterpart works even on Sundays.
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Jun 16, 2019 02:19pm
The PM IK should just watch the match queitly without any guiding comments.
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Jun 16, 2019 02:31pm
this kind of advise of batting first was not needed at all! Just motivational words were enough for players to perform...
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Jun 16, 2019 02:46pm
Hope to see some good cricket .
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Jun 16, 2019 03:05pm
It’s just a cricket , You have better things to do.
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Jun 16, 2019 03:14pm
Pakistan supporters and team members should pray for a rain today.
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Jun 16, 2019 03:21pm
IK. The equation is wrong.
30 percent is talent
30 percent is luck and the remaining
40 percent is BALL TAMPERING
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Jun 16, 2019 03:27pm
Please take your own advice and apply to economy please
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Jun 16, 2019 03:31pm
So if by any chance Pakistan loses the game will it be because of sharif and Zardari? A good side effect of today’s game is for a few hours people will forget all their problems and enjoy the game. Also the roads are almost free of any traffic.
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Jun 16, 2019 03:31pm
Sir, if you focus on your prime job.Rupee further down against dollar
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Jun 16, 2019 03:35pm
Pakistan has a very good chance of winning today’s game. Sarfaraz won the toss and did not follow any advice.
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Jun 16, 2019 03:45pm
Looks like Pakistanis have lost fear of losing but at the same time have no urge to win. They are repeating the same strategy against India that failed only days ago against Australia.
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Jun 16, 2019 03:51pm
Talk won't help if they keep dropping catches at critical junction. The difference in AUS game was missed chances.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:00pm
This is a cricket match and not a war between the two countries. So we should behave maturely and avoid making provocative comments.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:06pm
I think Pakistan bowlers are bowling fearlessly today.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:06pm
Captain has heard it all. His face and body language show it..
India 136/1 at 23.5 overs
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Jun 16, 2019 04:14pm
IK is afraid new champion will out shine him in country. He keeps giving wrong advice to the team.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:19pm
'Banish all fear of losing' and lose to India, Bangladesh.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:23pm
Imran is a great captain. Pakistan will do well if they try and follow them.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:23pm
@Lahore Vivek, what else would they do all day and night, their jobs?
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Jun 16, 2019 04:32pm
But sarfraz didn't acted on IK advise. IK clearly said to bat first.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:37pm
@Orakzai, - It is us against them, whose side are you on?
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Jun 16, 2019 04:38pm
Pakistan will win 1000%. INDIA all out for 180
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Jun 16, 2019 04:41pm
I see Pakistan winning easily
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Jun 16, 2019 04:41pm
India will be all out for 180
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Jun 16, 2019 04:46pm
the premier said that unless the pitch is damp, "Sarfaraz must win the toss and bat".
And he did just opposite
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Jun 16, 2019 04:52pm
@Orakzai, True. India's Kohli was prepared to bat first with great 7-8 batsmen.
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Jun 16, 2019 04:56pm
Pakistan just faced a superpower and realised what is means to challenge India
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Jun 16, 2019 05:03pm
@Orakzai, yea you were concieved by a luck too
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Jun 16, 2019 05:08pm
I can opposition is taking his advise more than cricket team.
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Jun 16, 2019 05:31pm
1992 world man of series was Rain.
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Jun 16, 2019 05:45pm
@Malik Saab, with same result as for the country
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Jun 16, 2019 05:52pm
Actually akram won that cup not you.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:04pm
@Malik Saab, and bring Sharifs/Ghadari back into power.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:11pm
@A shah, what happened ?
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Jun 16, 2019 06:15pm
The legends wise words.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:16pm
@Orakzai, Then it shows you are not a cricket person, better you give your advice to guli danda street players.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:22pm
@Bobby Khan, Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, shaib Malik score centuries out of skill and amir bowl with skill. It is skill versus skill but it depends whose day it is. If Pakistani batsmen dig in, then it's anyones guess.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:28pm
1992 was a fluke. India beat Pakistan in the same WC, even final was a fluke. No one takes that WC seriously.
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Jun 16, 2019 06:38pm
@A shah, you are true. Till now India has scored 305/4 in 46.4 overs (play stopped due to rain). Pakistan will chase India's target in half the overs!!!! Best luck Pakistan
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Jun 16, 2019 07:48pm
Easy to advise, difficult to implement.
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Jun 16, 2019 08:10pm
@Sakaniga,
You said it well.
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Jun 16, 2019 08:47pm
@A shah, it is guidance
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Jun 16, 2019 09:58pm
Imran khans advice was so right win the toss and bat. If Pakistan would have batted first things could have been different. Sarfaraz has to go as captain I saw him yawning behind wicket.. so dismal performance.
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Jun 16, 2019 10:18pm
I expected more fight from Pakistan.. is Saad to us Pakistan unable to give a bfiteted reply . I still remember Imran Khan, Wasim Waqar and that tall fast bowler .
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Jun 16, 2019 10:24pm
Imran should focus on country affairs..
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Jun 16, 2019 10:27pm
@Hafeez: Hafiz Saeed, you are 1--% correct.
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Jun 16, 2019 10:39pm
@Sivaram, is this what India does?
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Jun 16, 2019 10:44pm
They did banish the fear and now losing fearlessly.
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Jun 16, 2019 11:02pm
Pak team should have needed to their PM IK who is a fine cricketing brain
who authorised bowling after winning the toss
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Jun 16, 2019 11:33pm
Sure sir, next time we will....
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Jun 16, 2019 11:44pm
So how did it go?
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Jun 16, 2019 11:46pm
What percentage does ‘fluke ‘ play?
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Jun 17, 2019 12:06am
@salman, "Imran should focus on country affairs.."
Drop "country" from your comment and that's more accurate description of him.
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Jun 17, 2019 12:13am
No one in India gave any advice to Indian team.
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Jun 17, 2019 12:58am
Sarfaraz is not a bold captain. he is the most stupid captain. and he should be fired. He makes so many mistakes in just one match that other captains don't even make in a full year.
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Jun 17, 2019 01:07am
They did exactly that, and were not a match to Indian side on any aspect of the game!
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Jun 17, 2019 01:24am
@fairplay, 1992 World Cup was won and even IK admitted ball tampering after many years. At that time, there were not many cameras to monitor individual players stealth act. Ball tampering by IK is not secret anymore. It's all past and move on Bro.
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Jun 17, 2019 01:47am
@Zak, legend and Imran? Sure you jest
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Jun 17, 2019 01:48am
@Iqbal, May rains be with you, too!
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Jun 17, 2019 02:08am
@A shah, just like your advice leads PPP into real disaster....
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Jun 17, 2019 02:11am
its time to take another U turn
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Jun 17, 2019 02:16am
@Zak, India won with excellent batting
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Jun 17, 2019 03:05am
PMIK must ban the loosing team and replace with new talent
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Jun 17, 2019 03:09am
They won the toss but fielded
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Jun 17, 2019 03:19am
Fluke happens once or twice. Skills get you win most of the time.
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Jun 17, 2019 05:01am
well IK was right. they should've batted first. pakistan can never chase and they just read the situation wrong again...wrong selections and no talent to perform in big matches.
IK should've tweeted to bowl first and then sarfraz would've batted first !
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Jun 17, 2019 05:57am
yes Imran they lost all fear of losing and lost badly
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Jun 17, 2019 05:59am
@Cricket Lover, half the overs they will get India's target - is what you said
what happened cricket lover?
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Jun 17, 2019 06:01am
@Yousufshakoor , what happened to your prayers?
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Jun 17, 2019 06:41am
Khan said win toss and bat first but smart captain Sarfaraz let them bat first after winning toss.
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Jun 17, 2019 06:41am
@Zak, -- Zak, thank you. You have been very wise, and at the same time, you have kept us entertained with your knowledge of various topics.
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Jun 17, 2019 06:46am
They lost without any fear....
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Jun 17, 2019 06:57am
@A shah, parrot did not pick right card.
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Jun 17, 2019 07:28am
@A shah, I guess you meant to write Rohit Sharma?? (Instead you wrote India).
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Jun 17, 2019 07:53am
@Ash Man , true they did invest in sports development.
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Jun 17, 2019 08:04am
Lets build a cricketing corridor.
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Jun 17, 2019 08:30am
This team wasn't afraid. They were calm, composed and clueless against India.
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Jun 17, 2019 09:27am
I disagree with pakistan''s puppet PM.
Pak cricket captain is not a bold guy. He lacks in leadership qualities as you can infer from his body language. When team mates drops catches,bowler bowls wide, and if there i's a mis -field just watch the Pak captains reaction.
Besides Pakistan play the game with hears not the head. The captain lacks something between his ears.
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Jun 17, 2019 12:46pm
The advice didn't help...
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Jun 17, 2019 12:49pm
@Malik Saab, - couldn't agree more.
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Jun 17, 2019 01:25pm
Twitter as a medium of disbursing strategic advises of national importance is both radical as well as funny!
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Jun 17, 2019 02:57pm
You shouldn't be playing cricket if you have fear. I wish IK had advised them before they left for the WC and not after losing 3 games. From the reactions here, i gather IK has not been able to do much for the country which is in diare straits. Let him first put the PCB in place which he was criticising while in the opposition.
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Jun 17, 2019 03:09pm
So after not following Imran Khan's advise and losing, turns out his advise was pretty sound after all!
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Jun 17, 2019 03:38pm
Imran let it be just a game . One team on its day will win.
As a prime minister if u don't have important things to do then do and romance somewhere
as u urself were unable to beat Indians in WC.
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Jun 17, 2019 06:03pm
Kaptaan spoke and the team listened.
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Jun 18, 2019 12:16am
Pakistan lost because Indian Cricket team is too strong and key Indian players are physically fit. They are well trained and focussed on task at hand. Most important the entire Indian team is well disciplined and committed.
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