CRICKETFEVER
Howzat? The music industry’s take on today’s match

As Pakistan face their arch-rivals India in the bid to qualify for the World Cup final, Instep Today gives you views from the top musicians about the team. Here’s what they had to say...

1.       What do you think of Pakistan’s performance in this World Cup so far?

2.       What chance do you think Pakistan has against India in the semi-final today?

3.       What do you think of Shahid Afridi as captain? What do you think when Afridi is compared to Imran Khan?

Shahzeb Shaikh

Karachi

Atif Aslam

1. It has been great.

2. InshAllah, Pakistan will win because of the Indian home ground pressure and plus the team will play with the right spirit knowing that they are the only representatives of Pakistan.

3. I would rate him 6/10. There is no comparison. Imran was definitely way better than any of the captains we have had.

Ali Zafar

1. I think they have done us proud so far except a flew glitches here and there.

2. A very strong chance! If we win the toss and choose to bat, we would have an advantage. However, India’s team is very solid with a great batting line up that can chase a high total, but luckily we have solid bowling. I think it’s going to be quite a match to watch.

3. At present, Afridi is leading with example with his brilliant bowling and not exactly great batting. On the other hand, Imran Khan led with both. Afridi is doing a tremendous job, if only he would tell himself that he can stop a ball and doesn’t have to hit every ball.

As a captain and as a batsman, he should play a responsible, calculated batting innings also.

Bilal Maqsood (Strings)

1. Pakistan has totally surprised me. I wasn’t expecting this performance from Pakistan. Initially, I thought that I would never cheer for this team. That’s the reason we didn’t come out with any World Cup track. But, when they started playing, I became a huge fan of theirs.

2. I think Pakistan will defeat India. I am saying this because the winning streak will play a major role. Their morale is high. They are going to make the Indian crowd upset which would become a positive energy for them.

 3. I would give him 8/10. When Imran Khan was in the ground, he was a true leader. He commanded respect. He was firm on his decisions. He used to take a decision and stand by it.

Faisal Kapadia (Strings)

1. The performance has been great up till now.

2. I have a feeling that Pakistan will win.

3. There is only one similarity between the two: both are Khans. I will rate Afridi 8 on 10.

Gohar Mumtaz (Jal)

1. Outstanding! They have answered all the controversies going on with Pakistani team.

I see team as a unit, and what a terrific World Cup Shahid Afridi is having by taking the highest wickets in the tournament.

2. They will beat them for sure. I have a feeling but it will be a close match.

3. Imran Khan was 10 and Shahid Afridi is 9.5 . He will be equal to Imran once he brings the cup back home.

Farhan Saeed Butt (Jal)

1. More than what we he had expected! For me they’ve already brought the game of cricket back on track in Pakistan. Above all, I am proud of them because the country who doesn’t allow them to play, they are there because of there talent! Go boys!

2. Well, if you ask me, I am 100 per cent sure this time its Pakistan InshAllah and I have my reasons for that.

3. Well, I won’t compare him to Imran Khan. He had his own way of handling things. But yes, Afridi surprised everyone. I am sure. He was already a star, but will add to legends if he brings us this cup. I’ll rate him 9 and 10 if he gets the cup.

Junaid Khan (Call)

1. Pakistan has had a great tour so far. They have proved that they very worked hard and for the first time it’s evident that there is planning behind every match. Players and Coach are aligned without personal differences, finally!

2. Well most teams we have played against so far aren’t good spin players so we have been successful in these pitches but subcontinent players are quite good at it so possibly our spin attack won’t have that impact as before. So, it’s hard to say who’ll win.

Also, India’s batting line up is also quite strong but still even if we lose, no one will curse our team because they have shown that they are working hard in this competition.

3. As a captain I would rate him 6. Imran Khan wasn’t the best of players but he had good leadership capabilities, which is important for the team to be intact.

Shallum Xavier (Fuzon)

1. So far, Pakistan’s performance has been exceptional in the tournament.

2. It’s a big match, a final as far as both India and Pakistan are concerned considering our turbulent history and the sheer fact that passion and emotion will go on to another tangent. I think India has the experience and stability to control their nerves in a pressure situation but Pakistan can beat them if certain external factors are not involved.

3. Afridi has been phenomenal so far and let’s see how he can inspire, encourage and support the team in the match of the year. On a scale of 1-10, I’ll rate him after the match is over. He is far more popular than Imran and more talented. He has kept the boys together by the grace of God.

Shiraz Uppal

1. So far, the performance of Pakistani team has been great. Their spirits are high and their body language looks like a winning unit.

2. If they show the same performance as they showed against Australia or even better, they would win InshAllah. Plus, they have all the prayers and support from the whole nation. It’s not a matter of a game anymore rather a matter of prestige.

3. I think there is no comparison between the two. Imran Khan’s caliber and captaincy was way better. But still, Afridi is doing well this time and I would give him 7/10.

Arieb Azhar

1. I think that besides a couple of matches, where Pakistan was a bit absent minded, the overall performance has been brilliant.

2. I think our team is highly motivated especially after the last two matches, and it’s a privilege to play against India on their home soil. I think our chances are great and it’s going to be a close match!

3. I think Afridi is the best choice for captain we have at the moment, but he is no Imran Khan. However he seems to have the team well motivated. I’ll rate him as 7.

Najam Sheraz

1. The World Cup matches have provided a great opportunity to the team to regain the popularity amongst the people of Pakistan and the cricketing world.

2. Chances are super bright. Indian team is very seasoned. Tendulkar is the biggest difference between the two teams. On the other hand Pakistan’s team is super talented and most importantly I see Pakistan’s spirit stronger and nerves more solid, which is essential in a big game. Umer Gul and Afridi will have to give their best in the bowling. Batsmen will need to be more professional than emotional. Whatever we say, in cricket it always depends who performs better that very day.

3. As a captain Afridi has emerged as a great bowler recently, his batting performance

Hasn’t been impressive but over all his presence keeps the Pakistani team’s morale high. I would give Afridi 6 out of 10. People like Imran Khan are seldom born in centuries.

Saleem Javed

1. So far, Pakistan’s performance has been very promising and it’s definitely the leading side in the World Cup.

2. I think both the teams are great competitors. India has got one of the world’s best batting lineups and Pakistan has got one of the world’s best bowling line ups. So, it’s going to be a fierce match in the ground. All my prayers are with the Pakistani Cricket team.

3. Shahid Afridi has been proving to be a good captain and he has also done a good job as an individual in the tournament as well. We can’t compare him with Imran Khan as Imran Khan is a legend not just for winning us the 1992 World Cup but for many other things. I wish and pray that Afridi follows in his footsteps and bring us the cup home this time Inshallah.

Kashan Admani (Triad)

1. Pakistan’s performance has been exceptional throughout the world cup. They’ve proven to be the best team overall.

2. Pakistan has an 80 per cent chance of winning not only the semi final with India but also the final.

3. Afridi is proving to be an able captain and he is delivering well. I rate him at 7. The performance of the team shows that he has the required leadership skills. Imran Khan was a great captain for his time and type of team and Afridi is an effective captain for his time and team and the two can’t really be compared.

Dino (singer/VJ)

1. The performance of the Pakistani cricket team has been great from the start and the boys have been proving to everyone that they are survivors. The boys in green have definitely proven to the entire world that no matter what anyone says they are troopers.

2. India is definitely in top form and they are the team to beat in this World Cup. I think our chances our good but again we are a jazbaati qaum so as long as we play the game with our wits and best abilities and not just our emotions beating India shouldn’t be a problem InshAllah.

3. 10 out of 10 for Afridi. The man has gotten you to the semis. He’s proven that he is one of the best players in the game and in the World Cup. I don’t compare him with anyone but he definitely has the same drive, spark and charisma that Imran Khan had when he was captain. Boom Boom all the way.

Haider Hashimi

1. Pakistan team seems to be learning from their mistakes. Their win against West Indies is a proof of their improving performance. The entire Pakistani team seems to be gelling and delivering the goods when required.

2. Pakistan will win.

3. I would rate Afridi 7.5. Afridi can’t be compared to Imran Khan but he is leading by example as he is the tournament’s leading wicket taker so far and his team mates are performing well under his leadership.

Haroon

1. I think Pakistan has performed incredibly well. Beating Australia and breaking their unbeaten record was quite a feat.

2. I think that India does have the home team advantage. Having said that I think the way Pakistan is playing, they are unstoppable.

3. Afridi is definitely one of my favourite players along with Wasim Akram. I rate Afridi 9 as a captain and if he wins the cup I will give him a 10. He is definitely up their with Imran Khan. 

Qurram Hussain (Josh)

1. Pakistan has surprised everyone with their overall dominance in this world cup. I hope they can keep doing that and surprising everyone right to the top!

2. This is a tough one. Until yesterday I was very confident in Pakistan’s ability to conquer this match, but as the day approaches, I woke up with a knot in my stomach today, so the nervousness is setting in! I hope I am worrying for nothing, but I fear it will either be Pakistan dominating, or crumbling.

3. Afridi is up there, I’d say he deserves a solid 8. Imran Khan has set standards very high, not just because of his world cup victory, so he has a different persona. I’ll tell you this much, I can see the fire in Afridi’s eyes - he wants this world cup, and he wants it bad. That’s enough to light a fire in the locker room that can carry a team all the way to the top.

[Via The News]