Pakistan PM Imran Khan advises skipper Sarfaraz ahead of IND-PAK clash
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has weighed in on the selection of the national XI for the Cricket World Cup group game against India.
It's not garden-variety political interference, though. Imran led Pakistan to the Cricket World Cup title in 1992.
Imran has advised skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed to go in with specialists in the batting and bowling departments.
"In order to have a winning offensive strategy Sarfaraz must go in with specialist batsmen and bowlers," Imran posted on Twitter in the hours leading up to Sunday's match in Manchester, England.
Khan also said that both teams will be under "great mental pressure, and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match. In Sarfaraz, we are fortunate to have a bold captain & today he will have to be at his daring best."
India has won all six previous World Cup head-to-heads with archrival Pakistan. Imran said No. 2-ranked India would start as the favourite to win but advised the
Pakistan players to "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."
Much hinges on Manchester's weather and whether or not the group-stage encounter of the Cricket World Cup achieves a result between India and Pakistan.
