Only way for Pakistan to play is to attack, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Former cricketing legend Imran Khan has advised the Pakistan team to play legspinner Yasir Shah against Australia in their crucial World Cup quarter final match in Adelaide on Friday.

In a tweet sent late Thursday, Khan said the team must play Shah, who picked up 12 wickets 12 wickets in Pakistan's 2-0 Test series win over Australia in the UAE last year.

Shah has been on the benches since he played Pakistan’s opening pool match against India, and has only played two ODIs in his career.

But Khan, who led a young Pakistan side to a memorable World Cup victory in 1992, said it was crucial for the Pakistani side to play Shah despite a lack of practice, and to send experienced batsmen Younis Khan at the one-down position.

Pakistan must play Yunus at No 3 & despite lack of match practice, Yaser. They must play like cornered tigers, back to the wall. 1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 19, 2015

"They must play like cornered tigers, (with their) back to the wall," said the former captain. "There is only one way for Pakistan to play and that is to attack."

2/2 There is only one way for Pakistan to play and that is to attack.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 19, 2015

Earlier this week, coach Waqar Younis hinted that Pakistan might play Shah as a replacement for injured fast bowler Mohammad Irfan after the towering paceman suffered a stress fracture to his hip bone and was ruled out of the remaining World Cup matches.

“We have discussed Shah but we will look at the pitch and if it’s conducive then we will see how it goes,” Waqar told reporters on Wednesday.

Pakistan suffered thumping defeats by defending champions India and the West Indies in their first two World Cup pool matches.

However, captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s men have since won four successive matches – including a victory over a South Africa side who on Wednesday stormed into the semi-finals with a nine-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka – to reinforce their reputation as a team who can be a match for anyone at their best.

Pakistan have lost nine of their last 10 one-day internationals to Australia on Australian grounds, including all of the last seven.

If they can defeat Australia on Friday, Pakistan will face arch-rivals India – a side they’ve never beaten at the World Cup – in a semi-final in Sydney on March 26.