Exclusive interview of Coach and CAPTAIN

Addressing a crowded news conference here before the national squad’s departure to Dhaka in the wee hours of Friday, while Afridi eyed the semi-finals as his initial target, Waqar reckoned if the players maintained their triumphant performance they produced in New Zealand Pakistan had equal chances to win the mega event.

“We are going to participate in the World Cup with high aims and the nation will see good results. Given our effective combination I see my team at least in the semi-finals,” Afridi, flanked by Waqar and team manager Intikhab Alam, told reporters while refraining to pick any out-andout favourites for the game’s top competition.

To a question, Afridi while admitting his limited-overs captaincy record had not been ideal, advised critics to avoid making claims without having precise facts and figures, saying: “My individual performance was good since I remained [Pakistan’s] top scorer and highest wicket taker last year.” Dismissing the misgivings that Pakistan’s success rate depended on his decisions to bat or field first after winning the toss (as happened in New Zealand recently), Afridi asserted plainly that decisions relating to the team were always combined.

Commenting on Shoaib Akhtar’s fitness, Waqar said everyone knew about his fitness that it was not outstanding. But the head coach added that the team needed his experience because of which he had been selected for the World Cup.

Speaking on rookie fast bowler Junaid Khan who has come in the side to replace injured Sohail Tanvir on Wednesday,Waqar said he had not seen the youngster in action yet.

But the coach added that he had received encouraging reports about Junaid from the selectors and the team management under whom the left-armer had played for Pakistan Under-19 and ‘A’ teams in the past.

“We have promising youngsters like Wahab Riaz and top spinners like Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman while batting line-up has talented Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad along with other seniors.

“There is a possibility that Pakistan and India play the final of the World Cup and if that happens it would be ideal for the World Cup, one-day format and for the game of cricket,” Afridi said.

“Both India and Pakistan have to play above their potential to reach the final but it would be ideal for billions of people around the world,” stated Afridi.