Karachi:Remembering Pakistan’s lone Cricket World Cup victory on its 28th anniversary on March 25, Pakistan legendary batsman Javed Miandad praised Imran Khan and all spirited players for leading Pakistan to its first World Cup title triumph.
“We didn’t started well but things started to roll in our favor during the World Cup as we went on to qualify for the final. We got crucial one point due to rain against England and West Indies won its match, which turned things in our favor against all odds. We were all praying so did the nation back home. It was due to the prayers that we qualified for the next stage and then there was no looking back,” Miandad told PPI.
He said that all players started to put their level best, which paid great dividends with the world cup triumph.
“But it was Imran Khan, who had firm believe that we can win the world cup since the beginning. He has been motivating players. He wore that famous (cornered) tiger T-shirt and told players to play like tigers,” Miandad said.
Miandad along with skipper Imran Khan anchored the inning in the World Cup 1992 final against England after Pakistan lost its openers early. The two, Imran Khan (72 runs) and Miandad (58 runs), added 139 runs for the third wicket partnership. Sultan of swing Wasim Akram later put a strong performance with he ball.
“I was sick with some virus and just wanted to stay on crease as long as I could with Imran after we lost two early wickets. At the end of my inning, I can be seen visibly ill, I could no more hit the ball or run properly. But I tried my best,” Miandad said.
Miandad reiterated that Imran Khan, who has become Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the team put a great fight and that fighting spirit become the part of the team.
“(Now as PM), Imran still says that ‘don’t panic Insha Allah we will come out of any challenge’. Nobody knows Imran better than me since we have spent our lives together. We have been together since 1975 and I know he is an honest man. And even if he takes some wrong decisions, according to our understanding, they also pay off,” he said.