Spirit of ‘cornered tigers’ catapults Pakistan to No 1 spot

Team manager predicts the country’s ODI team will emulate Misbah’s Test side and will be in contention for World Cup crown in 2019

SOUTHAMPTON: Back in 2010 when the spot-fixing scandal rocked Pakistan cricket, there were even calls from some quarters to ban the country from the international game.

The spot-fixing debacle involving three of Pakistan’s leading cricketers came around 15 months after the Lahore bus attack and left the country’s cricket in a very bad place.

But they say bad times lead to great times.

Seven years after becoming a cricketing pariah, Pakistan has ascended to the top of the Test rankings, surpassing India on the ICC computer.

It’s certainly a huge achievement for a team that hasn’t played a Test on home soil since March 2009 when Sri Lankan cricketers were ambushed by terrorists in Lahore.

For a team that was written off by it critics, to bounce back from rock bottom took a lot of character and mental strength. And in Pakistan’s case add the spirit of cornered tigers, the sort of spirit that enabled them to win World Cup ‘92 after bouncing back from the brink of disaster.

“Yes, it’s our cornered tiger spirit that always helps our team to overcome the odds,” Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam told ‘The News’ on Monday.

As the man, who also managed the ‘92 World Cup-winning team in Australia and New Zealand, Intikhab knows what he is talking about.

“The last seven, eight years have been really tough for Pakistan cricket. People were writing us off after what happened in 2009 and 2010. But the boys have shown real strength of character and mental toughness. They have fought back like cornered tigers.

“They could have gone further down after the big setbacks but instead they chose to fight back and what a fight back it has been. From completely down to becoming the world number one team is a huge achievement.”

Intikhab hoped that people back home will realize the immense importance of this feat.

“It wasn’t easy, I must tell you. People don’t realize what the players go through as they are constantly travelling. What the families of the players go through. We even play our home matches abroad.

“There is always loads of pressure. There is home sickness. But still the team has showed its class by not just remaining among the leading teams but becoming the number one side in the world.

“I really thank the players, the board and the people of Pakistan for this great feat. God willing the team will continue to do well for the country,” said Intikhab, a former Pakistan captain, who was also part of the Pakistan team that won the 2009 ICC World T20 championship.

While Pakistan’s Test team has, over the years, transformed itself into a world-beating unit, their limited-overs squads have failed to impress much.

In the lead up to the five-match One-day International series against England which begins in Southampton from Wednesday (tomorrow), Pakistan are languishing at number nine in the ODI rankings. Unless they pull up their socks, Pakistan are in real danger of failing to qualify directly for World Cup 2019.

Intikhab agreed that Pakistan’s ODI and Twenty20 International teams will have to emulate the Test side.

“Yes, we need to show the same spirit in ODIs and T20s as we have shown in Tests. I’m confident that things will improve with the inductions of several new boys in the side.”

Intikhab believes that Pakistan should show persistence with its players instead of opting for too many changes too often.

“What we need is continuity. We can’t afford to make too many changes too often. The good thing is that we have included many fresh faces in the team and that’s a good sign because these boys have the guts to shine at the international level.”

Pakistan’s 255-run ODI triumph over Ireland in Dublin last week is a positive sign, said Intikhab.

“The boys in the one-day format are playing with the same intensity. Though Ireland are not a top-ranked team but the way we beat them shows the mood and confidence of the boys.”

Though Pakistan have flopped in the 50-over format in recent times, Intikhab predicted that his team will be in contention for the World Cup crown in 2019.

“I see Pakistan progressing in the one-day format just like we have done in Tests. In the next couple of years, this team will go on to become one of the top international sides and will be among the contenders for the World Cup in 2019.”