Poll

I think this has been a very important tour for me personally, in the sense that it pushed me to set a goal for myself, a target that I could aim for. I have been playing for the past 15 years and it was getting to me that my days were numbered. But this Test series in India has definitely prolonged my career; now I feel I can go on for another two years and win for Pakistan.

As a captain what do you think you have achieved, given that the team was in disarray when you took over from Aamir Sohail.

Well, it's too early to say that I have achieved much because this is just the beginning. But one thing people have told me is that I have learnt how to handle the team on the field. That was very important for me. I think I have learnt a little bit of that.

You know, in pressure games everyone tests your skills on and off the field. I think in crucial games, especially against India, it is very important to be sure of the changes you are making. Happily, everything went well, so I'm happy with the performance. Agar nahi jeettey to problem hoti, magar aisa nahi hua [If we would have lost there would have been a problem but nothing of that sort happened].

The 1992 World Cup in Australia was one of the greatest moments of Pakistan cricket. Tell us how did the team pull through after that a disastrous start? What was the mood in the dressing room?

To be honest, yes, the team's mood was pretty low. But you know, for some odd reason we just knew we were going to win the World Cup. We were down and almost out but we knew we were going to win. We had faced a situation like this in 1989, during the MRF Cup in India, and we had won against all odds.

Imran was the major guiding force there. He kept convincing us that we could win. He kept reiterating this and suddenly we were playing well -- we clicked. I think it was a case of peaking at the right time.

Tell us about that all-important game against New Zealand, the last of the league matches -- the game Pakistan had to win to reach the semi-final.

We had a team meeting and Imran told us this was a do-or-die situation. We would have to go out and give it our 100 percent. He said this match would change everything for us if we won it. He told us to fight it out and play with all the passion we had.

Believe me, the moment we walked out that day onto the field we felt we were going to win. Also New Zealand had won all their matches till then; so we knew they were relaxed. We knew we would need just one moment to seize the initiative and there would be no looking back after that. That is exactly how it happened...

And about the final, those two wickets of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis of successive deliveries. How did it feel to be on a hat-trick in a World Cup final?

It was one of the brightest moments of my cricketing career. I was over the moon after bowling Chris Lewis and I was a little nervous about the hat-trick. You know it is a dream come true for any player to perform in the finals of a world cup.

You think those wickets decided the fate of the match? Or you think that the match had been won long before that spell, with England reeling at 69/4?

Cricket is a team effort. I think that was not the deciding factor though those two wickets at that stage of the match were crucial. And, yeah, we were pretty sure we were going to win. You know that feeling when that desire to win overtakes every other thought and emotion. But we didn't get complacent and we kept the pressure on them. You never know in a one-day game, but, yeah, the early dismissal of their top order did make a difference.

How would you rate the 1996 squad and what do you think were the factors that brought about the downfall in that tournament?

We were overconfident. I think we had a great side but I think we were too confident and that was one reason we lost. We were a great side but I think we had one bad game and that cost us the title of world champs.

You know, we won all our games in the league except that game against South Africa. We were pretty confident before the quarter-final against India. Unfortunately I got injured before that game. I think we also played better than India. We were coasting along at 110 for one after 15 overs.

But suddenly there was no planning visible and the batsmen did not consider the importance of going at 4 or 5 an over. All of them went for big shots and gifted the match away to the Indians. I think, for a change, the pressure got to the batsmen -- they played some rash strokes.

Tell us about the experience after you returned home after that defeat. Your wife told us about the problems you faced on returning home. How much did it affect you, being treated by your own countrymen in that manner?

It was a horrifying experience, probably the worst phase of my life. We had problems at the airport and at home. You know, those threatening phone calls, those humiliating accusations were too much to handle. It became impossible for me to handle all that. The whole team for that matter had a tough time.

But that's the way it is back home in Pakistan. If you win you are up there and the moment you don't you go the other way. But I think it is time people realise it is only a game and that it is a profession for us. We go out there and we try hard. Sometimes we win, sometimes we have to lose.

Where does one draw the line?

Hamare culture mein aisa kuch hota hi nahi hai (There is nothing like drawing the line in our culture).

But I think it's time people educate themselves to the fact that this is a game.

Har ladka koshish kar raha hai. Jaan maar raha hai, akhir insaan hai, thak bhi jaate hain [One must realise that every boy is trying hard, playing his heart out. But after all he is also only human, even he gets tired]. They are bound to have a bad day.

You were picked up from the nets without any formal coaching. Waqar and some other bowlers were also picked from the nets. Why is it that Pakistan, despite having abundant talent, does not have a national cricket academy or any defined structure to tap talent early?

I think it is time Pakistan had a cricket academy. In fact, they are thinking of having one; the sooner they have one the better it will be for Pakistan cricket. If we had had an academy we'd have groomed our youngsters much better and would have been a better side. Also, we'd not have to worry about our back-ups.

But our chairman, Mr Khalid Mahmood, is very interested in having an academy and in the next 4, 5 months that idea will be given concrete shape. I think that would be the best thing to happen to Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan has abundant talent: you have fast bowlers who arrive out of nowhere and create an impression on the international arena. The same goes for the batsmen: they have the temperament as well as talent but seem to burn out too soon. What would you attribute that too?

Again, I'd say that's because there's no structure. If these guys are picked up from their academies they will learn to cope with pressure. Some are really talented but don't know how to cope with the pressure and how to take care of their bodies.

Some of the guys get injured and then don't have a clue how to get back into the team. They are unable to recuperate. Also, kuch ladkon se zyadatiyan bhi hoti hai (Some players are also given a raw deal). It is a very sad state of affairs, but I think it's a matter educating the players about pressure and coping with injuries.

How do you see your side's chances in the World Cup this May? Are there any worrying factors for you so far, any aspect of your game that you think you, need to work upon?

I think our middle order is worrisome. In the Test matches in India, our middle order collapsed. I think we need to strengthen our middle order. That's why we have recalled Salim Malik. He will add solidity to the middle order. He is very experienced and has played a lot in England.

Also Waqar, because he has ample experience. His contribution to the side in early May will be invaluable. The ball swings a lot and Waqar will be able to exploit the conditions. The side that will win the World Cup will have to bat the 50 overs. There's no doubt about that.

The ball swings a lot -- there will be a lot of lateral movement. We have decided that the team has to bat the 50 overs to win the Cup. We aren't looking at the first 15 overs at all. We don't have to throw our wickets but play like a Test match and keep wickets for the end. That will be the key. This is what we are putting in the minds of the youngsters.

After 39 years Australia finally won a Test match in Pakistan. Zimbabwe added insult to the injury with a series win. Now in India the side has transformed itself into a confident unit, ready to take on the best. What according to you were the reasons for the slump, and what brought about the renaissance?

I think that the boys were not enjoying their cricket. The guy who was in charge was not able to keep the boys happy. He was unable to pull the guys together. If you are not happy with your captain, how can you perform? You can play, but you cannot give your 100 per cent, mentally. The players were divided; they were encountering problems within the team itself. It gets difficult for any team if they have problems in getting along amongst themselves. How do you expect to defeat the opposition if you can't defeat your own differences within the team? Problem thi kuch inki captain se '(They had a problem with the captain). They wanted me as captain. So when I came back, I asked the guys to give a hundred per cent, try our best. Puri jaan marenge, and then if we lose it doesn't matter to me. The guys wanted to win, they were very as eager to win as I was, so that was a plus for me.

Honestly speaking, don't you think you are going to miss the services of Aamir Sohail? In England your only weak link seems to be the opening pair. Also in Sohail you have a wily spinner who can bowl miserly spells, besides giving you solidity at the top of the order alongside Saeed Anwar...

Agar koi team game mein ek bande se saari team ki ladaai hai, then there is something wrong with the guy. (In a team game if the whole team has a problem with one guy then there is a problem with the guy). Team spirit is more important than any individual.

When we spoke to Aamir Sohail he said that differences don't matter once the side is on the field. And he said that he would not be playing for Wasim Akram but for Pakistan. What do you think matters more, your personal differences or the team's strategy?

Of course team spirit and team's strategy matters more than anything else as far as the team is concerned. As far as I am concerned, if the presence of one player is affecting the morale or the spirit of the team, then we might as well rest that player for a while. Let the boys settle in and play their natural game. And we are confident that team spirit will lift the side's performance.

Are you planning to open your batting with Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar?

I think its too early to decide what Shahid Afridi's role will be in the team composition. He might have to miss a couple of games. If the wickets are dry we might play him

So then who will open along with Anwar?

Wajahatullah Wasti. The guy is good, and has a cool head. I think he along with Saeed Anwar will be a good opening pair.

So you have not chalked out a strategy as yet for your World Cup campaign?

Not yet. When we get there on the third of May, my mind will start thinking about our strategy and along with Javedbhai we will plan things accordingly.

There were reports that Sir Geoffrey Boycott was to be appointed as consultant to the team alongside Javed Miandad. Are you comfortable with the idea of having two coaches, two power centres? Shaharyar Khan said that he was opposed to the idea of having someone alongside Javed...

Yes, Geoffrey was asked, but what transpired between the board and Geoffrey is something I don't know about. But if he is to be appointed only for the World Cup, why not? I think his advice and experience will be of immense help to the side. Geoffrey is a seasoned cricketer and has played most of his cricket in England; he will definitely be beneficial for our campaign.

Supposedly Javed had his reservations about Boycott's appointment...

Javedbhai is the boss. He is the coach of the team and he will be eventually in charge of the team. Boycott is going to be the consultant, not the coach. As far as Javedbhai and I are concerned, Boycott is welcome.

How do you assess your team at the moment? What do you think are the worrying factors?

The confidence is there, I am only worried about the middle order. But even that will be strengthened with the inclusion of Salim Malik. It's a good thing that we lost the match against Sri Lanka in Vizag. Normally what happens is that the team plays well, wins all its league matches and flops in the finals. You know all teams have that odd bad day. I think the team is ready for sterner tests and it is a matter of time before they achieve their goals.

What changes do you see in the side now, things that were missing earlier?

You know, we had a meeting last night after dinner, after the loss to Sri Lanka. The reasons for the defeat were discussed and the players were told about the mistakes that they had committed. Earlier, when these things happened, the guys used to defend their mistakes, seek justifications, try to come up with explanations. But yesterday the guys owned up, and admitted their mistakes. They decided to play out the fifty overs in the next two matches and win the Cup. You know, this kind of a thing is very encouraging for the captain. He knows that the players are behind him and he enjoys the confidence and respect of the players.

When you landed in India, a newsmagazine here had leaked the contents of the inquiry report into match-fixing and betting. How did this impact on the team, and on you personally?

The boys were told about this. They were told that something like this was bound to happen. We knew that if we were doing well, there would be something like this from the press. We were unaffected by it, we ignored it. Kisi ko pata bhi nahi tha siway do ladko ke (Besides two guys no one even knew about it).

Did it hurt the fact that just an issue before, the same publication had you and Waqar on the cover with handicapped children?

It does hurt a lot. I was hurt in a way, because the guy who did it was a close friend of mine. Jaannewala tha. But again that's their profession, kya kar sakte hai. Yahan koi feelings thodi na hoti hai ke agla kaise feel karta hai (there are no feelings in this profession, no thought of how the other person will feel about it). They only think of how they benefit from it, it's sad, but true.

Do you think you have done justice to your batting talent?

Not really. Depends. Actually you know, if I was an all-rounder who could bat a bit and bowl a bit then I would have been much better, but I am a bowler who has to bowl a lot of overs every day. To come back after bowling so much and concentrate on batting is a bit too much. But I believe I can bat much better if I put mind to it.

Given the fact that you have a 200 in Test cricket against your name...

I go through phases as a batsman. The confidence is not there, the kind of confidence a natural batsman would have. But I have been trying, and now my confidence is back after the knock against Sri Lanka.

Tell me, what was going through your mind when Sachin was at the crease snatching the match away from you guys in Chennai?

Nothing much really, just that if we get Sachin out we would have the match in our pocket. I knew that if we get him, we win the match, simple as that. The way he was batting it looked like that was the only way to win. When 15 runs were required I told my team, 'Guys, go for it, get him out and we win the match. Even if we lose we would have tried'. Har jayenge magar harenge nahi (We might lose the match but we wont lose).

I told the guys to keep trying and told them that our people back in Pakistan will know that we went down fighting. We kept the pressure up, and we won the match.

Why was Salim Malik out of the team? Was it due to fitness or some other reason?

Salim had a fitness problem; his hamstring was worrying him. He was complaining about it during one of the games and also, the PCB wanted to see how Imran Nazir was shaping. Salim wasn't dropped, just rested so we could try some of the other guys.

To get back to the big one, how do you plan to save your name in this match-fixing scandal? It's been going on for a while, hasn't it?

I have to go back and sort it out. I will ask the Judge-sahib to carry on with his work and give his verdict. Kyoonki jisne bhi kaha hai sirf baatein ki hai, koi proof nahi hai (Whoever has said anything has only made baseless statements without proof). They have just made these statements out of jealousy. The guys who are against me are out to malign me. You know these things happen in our country -- if someone is going up, you try to pull him down. I am prepared for anything. Sari tayyari hai, kuch galat nahi kiya hai (I am prepared for anything, I have done no wrong). So everything will be okay for me, Inshallah.

Wasim, have you ever been approached by a bookmaker, ever? Are you aware of any player who you have come across in your career, who you thought was indulging in such activities?

No, never. I have played so many matches in my life and have never been a part of any match-fixing agreement. Mere saamne na to kabhi kisi ne baat ki hai na aise hua hai (I have never heard nor seen it happening).

To ask a personal question, your wife told us you take insulin injections every day. Don't you think doing this kind of thing to keep playing will harm you in the long run?

But what can one do? Is there another way out? I can't stop playing.

Pakistan bowlers have been accused of ball tampering for quite a while now, what is that all about?

Kuch nahi hai. Goro ko jab nahi tha pata kya karte hai hum tab tak ball-tampering thi, ab Reverse Swing kehte hai usey (Till the whites didn't know about it, it was ball-tampering -- as soon as they learnt about it they termed it as reverse-swing).

You know, all these guys from England and Australia kept calling it ball tampering, but now that their bowlers can do it they call it reverse swing. It is all a matter of how you look after the ball, how you throw the ball on the surface at times to rough it up on one side. It's an art, and I think the Pakistanis have not only invented it, but also mastered the art.

Who are your favorites for the World Cup?

South Africa, Australia, we ourselves, and England since they will be playing at home. Favorites World Cup kabhi jittey nahi waisey (Favourites never win the World Cup). *laughing*

How do you rate India's chances at the World Cup?

India's fortunes depend on how their bowling performs there. Wahan ball swing bahut hota hai (The ball swings a lot there). India ki batting to tagdi hai (India's batting is strong) but it depends what team they play. They will have to play with five bowlers. They can't win with six batsmen and four bowlers.

But they can play four bowlers and use the services of Ganguly and maybe Sachin there?

Ganguly might be able to get success but you don't go into a match with such planning. Also, Sachin's form will be crucial, the real key I suppose.

Do you believe, like most others, that India depends too much on Sachin?

Yes they do, in a way. But I think it is very good that he is not playing. They can win some games and get their confidence back, learn that they can do without him.

What is lacking in the Indian team, that it folds against Pakistan every time?

Aisa hai ke aap log bade mellow se log ho (Indian players are too mellow). Koshish puri karte hai (They try whole heartedly), but if they lose they say never mind, we will try again tomorrow. 'Chalo yaar koi baat nahi' (No problem). Lekin hamare yahan 'chalo yaar nahin hota hai' (But we can't take it easy). Hame to jeeetna hota hai (We have to win), victory is important.