Pakistan can win the World Cup: Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq

Adelaide, March 15 (IANS) After winning four matches on the trot to enter the quarterfinals, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Sunday said his team has all the ingredients needed to become cricket World Cup champions for the second time.

"Of course, we can win the World Cup. We have the momentum. The bowling is doing really well, the batting is beginning to do its part," Misbah said after a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in their last Pool B encounter here.

"On the day, anything can happen. We have the bowling line-up that can surprise any team."

Pakistan had earlier lifted the World Cup in 1992, under legendary skipper Imran Khan.

He said the Ireland game involved immense pressure as it was a do-or-die clash for both the teams.

"This was a pressure game, a game more pressure for us than, say, a quarterfinal," the skipper said.

Chasing Ireland's modest score of 237, Pakistan overhauled the target with 23 balls remaining, thanks to a brilliant ton by Sarfraz Ahmed (101 not out), who was well supported by Ahmed Shehzad (63).

The skipper termed Sarfraz's knock as brilliant and expressed happiness at the batsman staying on till the end after opening the innings.

"Sarfraz's was a brilliant knock. It was a much-needed knock. I am very happy how he went on and stayed there till the end," he said.

The 40-year-old said his pacers bowled their hearts out, taking wickets at regular intervals.

"I give a lot of credit to the fast bowlers. It was a slow pitch but they bowled their hearts out. They took wickets at regular intervals and restricted Ireland," Misbah, who will quit One-Day International (ODI) cricket after this World Cup, said.