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Coach Waqar vows Pakistan comeback
Christchurch: Pakistan chief coach Waqar Younis has insisted his team will bounce back in the cricket World Cup despite a demoralising defeat against arch-rivals India.
Pakistan succumbed to a 76-run defeat against the defending champions in their first Pool B game in Adelaide Sunday, a loss Waqar Wednesday blamed on an inability to handle big-match pressure.
“We can all see what went wrong. We didn’t play well. India played better than us by building partnerships, probably we took more pressure,” Waqar was quoted as saying by sport24.co.za.
“But we have to realise that it’s just the start and there are more games to play and we will come back in the matches ahead.”
Pakistan will look to put things right in their second game in Christchurch Saturday against the West Indies, who also suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Ireland.
“We know the importance of the game so we will try to have a positive frame of mind and do well,” said Waqar.
Waqar repeated his team is not amongst the title favourites, a statement which he gave before the departure for New Zealand last month.
Then, such pessimism was greeted with severe criticism from former Pakistan players.
“I think it’s the same, I back that again. I am not saying that we have become favourites. Of course, saying that releases pressure from players when you are not favourites.”
Waqar, who is in his second stint as coach after guiding the team to a semifinal finish in the 2011 World Cup, blamed poor batting for the India loss.
“A target of 300 runs in Australia and New Zealand is chaseable. This has become the norm, a par total, and we have to chase down 300 in games ahead,” said Waqar.
The coach admitted that experimenting with Younis Khan as an opener had failed.
“The experiment to use Younis wasn’t successful. It’s not too tough to drop a senior player but in a tournament like the World Cup you try to use maximum experience,” said Waqar.
“When we used Younis at number three or four he was not scoring runs so as per the requirement we used him as an opener but it didn’t work.”
Younis, playing his fourth World Cup, has managed just 73 runs in seven matches with a highest of 25 since the team’s arrival in New Zealand last month.
Pakistan have opener Nasir Jamshed waiting in the wings and he is likely to replace Younis, who made just six against India, if the veteran is dropped.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.