Despite troubles and indifferent form, Pakistan will reach the quarterfinal of Cricket World Cup, former skipper Muhammad Yousuf predicted on Tuesday. "Despite problems in the first two matches, I firmly believed that Pakistan team will make it into the quarter-finals," former batting legend told APP in an interview here. He said Pakistan greatly benefitted from Ireland's massive 201 runs defeat against South Africa in Canberra today.
"This will help Pakistan in improving their net run-rate which will be of great importance in the end," he added. Ace batsman foresee Pakistan playing their quarterfinal against New Zealand at Wellington on March 21. He negated the notion that Pakistan will be facing stiff challenge against Ireland in their last league round.
"Adelaide Oval track is good for batting and I don't see any trouble or scare for Pakistan against Ireland," Muhammad Yousuf, who featured in 90 Test matches and 288 One-day Internationals. stated. "We lost to Irish team in 2007 World cup because of Sabina Park track and rains in Jamaica on that day," Yousuf, who was part of Inzamam-ul-Haq's team in that match, he recalled.
"Ball was moving and swinging and our batting went down," he commented. He said like all experts and analysts, he also failed to understand the reasons for ignoring and sideling Sarfraz Ahmed. Yousuf said Sarfraz produced extra-ordinary display with the bat from the Sri Lankan tour and maintained it both against Australia and New Zealand.
"Sarfraz dropping is mind-blowing because currently Pakistan's most courageous and fearless batsman," he pointed out. "Sarfraz has been made zero from hero which was very disappointing and upsetting," he maintained. He reacted sharply to Misbah-ul-Haq statement that environment was suitable to include Sarfraz Ahmed.
He insisted including legspinner Yasir Shah in the match against Ireland keeping their vulnerability against He called for rotation of strike and taking singles and doubles to build the score. He expressed that Pakistan batsmen will show their true firepower and potential in coming matches. "We got good batsmen. But they must show responsibility to excel for the country," he remarked. He said all team scoring 300, 350 even crossing 400 mark. But Pakistan was yet to go even to beyond 250 mark. Yousuf went to say that was capable of beating event South Africa if they played as a unit and played to their full potential. He said all players are professional and they should come up good performances under pressure. Muhammad Yousuf said Pakistan bowlers showed good rhythm against Zimbabwe and its time for batsmen to show their spirit and firepower.