Players told to forget old matches and fulfill expectations

BRISBANE: The Pakistan cricket team’s management was forced to cancel a practice session scheduled for Monday and hold a vital meeting with players to review the team’s performance and morale.

According to sources, team Manager Naveed Akram Cheema and Coach Waqar Younis addressed players at this meeting. Cheema and Younis told the players that the tournament was not over and four matches remained. The team was asked to keep its morale high and fulfill expectations in future matches as the nation had high hopes from them.

It was reported that the players were under immense pressure and stress after the team lost its opening World Cup matches to India and West Indies.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, Shehryar Khan, also addressed the players and management through telephone.

Pakistan next play Zimbabwe on March 1 followed by matches against UAE (March 4), South Africa (March 7) and Ireland (March 15).

The team will hold its practice session at 10 AM local time in Brisbane on Tuesday.