Pak aim to break India jinx at Azlan Shah Cup
394 viewsBy jazbablog - Mon May 09, 9:08 pm
IPOH, Malaysia: Pakistan are hoping to exploit absence of drag-flicker Sandeep Singh in the Indian hockey team to end their four-match losing streak against the traditional rivals, when they clash in Azlan Shah Cup league match on Wednesday.
After recording two victories, Pakistan’s suffered back-to-back defeats against Britain and Australia and are hoping to bring their campaign back on track with win against India.
Pakistan skipper Muhammad Imran said his side is determined to see that they do not suffer fifth consecutive defeat against India.
“We are fully confident of breaking the jinx against India this time. The 5-1 loss against Australia will not hamper our performance. Tomorrow is the rest day and we will assess our mistakes and will do the best against them,” Imran said from Malaysia.
India had defeated Pakistan in the World cup, Delhi CWG, Azlan Shah and Guangzhou Asian games last year. Pakistan, though, clinched the Asian games gold and ticket to London Olympic 2012 whereas India had a bronze medal finish.
Imran, the member of Pakistani team in all those matches, said that the absence of drag flicker Sandeep Singh will make a difference this time.
“In almost all the matches last year, Sandeep got the initial breakthrough for India while our drag flickers could not avail the chances. Sandeep is not playing this time and our short corner is better than India. Sohail ( Abbas ) has got immense experience,” said the defender.
He though admitted that the players will face the heat when they will cross sword with India.
“Naturally there will be pressure. There is pressure in any India-Pakistan match. But it is wrong to say that they have an upper hand because of previous four wins. This is new match and what matters is the performance on that day,” said Imran.
When asked about any specific strategy against India, he said that they will think about it on Tuesday.
“Indian team is playing well, especially the young Rupinder Pal Singh. Definitely our coach will chalk out a different strategy for them,” he said.
“We look this tournament as the beginning of preparation for London Olympic 2012 hence there are many new players in the team. But definitely we want to beat India to boost our confidence,” the Pak captain said. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) addressed the officers at Rawalpindi, Kharian and Sialkot garrisons Monday.
He discussed one point agenda of Abbottabad incident, according to ISPR statement.
He said that Abbottabad incident has been in sharp public focus. “Incomplete information and lack of technical details have resulted in speculations and misreporting.”
“Public dismay and despondency has also been aggravated due to insufficient formal response. It is believed that people of Pakistan need to be taken into confidence through their honourable elected representatives”.
Chief of Army Staff said that he has requested the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to kindly consider convening of a joint session of the Parliament for briefing on security issues as related to Abbottabad incident.
Chief of Army Staff said that he has also requested that strength of democracy must be put into effect to develop a consensus on important security issues including war on terror.
“Articulation of a national response through the Parliament, under the circumstances, is the most effective way to let the World know the historic achievements of Pakistan against Al Qaeda and its terror affiliates. This would not have been possible without the active support and invaluable sacrifices of people of Pakistan”.
