World Cup 2019: Imran Khan gives important tips to Pakistan team ahead of the marquee clash

The arch-rivals India and Pakistan are all set to face-off in the ongoing World Cup on Sunday at the Old Trafford in Manchester. The Men in Blue have never lost to their neighbours in the mega event. Both the sides have met on six occasions in the World Cup and India have registered comfortable victories most times. Having won the final of the Champions Trophy a couple of years ago against India, the Men in Green are hoping to turn the tables this time around.

No wonder the pressure will be on both the sides going into the marquee clash and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has spared time for the cricket team to give some important tips. He compared the cricketing eras when he used to play and felt that mental strength plays a more important role in pressure matches. He also termed Sarfaraz Ahmed as the bold captain and backed him to come good on the day.

Fear of losing must be banished

Imran Khan, in a series of tweets, went on to say that Pakistan should play without the fear of losing the match. The 66-year-old suggested Sarfaraz to go in with the specialist batsmen and bowlers in the team and stay away from playing the all-rounders. He also felt that Pakistan should opt to bat first and put the runs on the board unless the pitch is damp.

While even Imran Khan admitted to the fact that Virat Kohli and his men are the favourites to win the match and make it 7-0 in the World Cups, he wants Pakistan to fight till the last ball and not give up. ” Finally, even though India may be the favourites, 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,” one of his tweets read.

Meanwhile, the weather in Manchester will also play a crucial role in the game going ahead. It has been raining all week at the venue and the fans are just hoping for the heavens to not open up on Sunday.

Here are Imran Khan’s tweets:

When I started my cricketing career I assumed success was 70% talent & 30% mind. By the time I finished playing cricket I felt it was 50-50 ratio. But now I tend to agree with my friend Gavaskar it’s 60% mental strength & 40 % talent. Today role of mind will be more than 60% 1/5

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

2/5 Today, given the intensity of the match, both teams will come under great mental pressure and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match today. In Sarfaraz we are fortunate to have a bold captain & today he will have to be at his daring best.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

3/5 All fears of losing should be banished from the mind as the mind can only process one thought at a time. Fear of losing leads to a negative & defensive strategy & crucially mistakes by opponents are not pounced upon. So here are my suggestions for Sarfaraz & Pakistan team:

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

4/5 1. In order ro have a winning offensive strategy Sarfaraz must go in with specialist batsmen and bowlers because “Raillu Kattas” rarely perform under pressure – especially the intense kind that will be generated today. 2. Unless pitch is damp, Sarfaraz must win the toss & bat

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019

5/5 3. Finally, even though India may be the favourites, 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.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019