“Overconfidence” in security spoiled Pakistan's chances of hosting the 2011 World Cup Cricket matches and forced other countries to scrap their tours to the country, according to a renowned former international cricket player. “Pakistanis love sports and spotspersons are respected in our country. As an international player I have experienced it even after retirement. Sportsmen could move freely anywhere in the country. But a moment of madness and a security lapse left Pakistan in the wilderness in sports, said Saeed Anwar, who is here to perform Umrah and inaugurate a new cricket complex by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA). Under the present circumstances cricket is suffering in Pakistan and it will take time to regroup things. Anwar, who formed a deadly opening partnership for Pakistan in company of Aamir Sohail in any form of the game in the nineties, reminiscent of the great West Indian pair of Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge, feels that it would be difficult for Pakistan to win back the confidence of other sporting nations and get the World cup hosting rights. Anwar, who could increase the pace in scoring whether in Tests or in the new shorter versions of the game through real cricketing shots than wild hitting, said Pakistan will miss Mohammed Yousuf badly in the T20 World Cup this month. “Pakistan needs solidity in the middle order. Mohammed Yousuf could have helped the team immensely.” Reacting to a question about Pakistan's future after captain Younis Khan's plan to move out of the shorter version of the game after this Wolrd Cup Anwar said, “It was Australia that first mooted the idea of two teams – one for Test and the other for one-day. But don't compare Pakistan with Australia which has abundant talent due to its planning and training patterns. They can even field four teams. We have to work out within our limitations. Pakistan had great players earlier who could adapt to any version comfortably. “For Pakistan, it is a period of transition. We need a total revival and have to start from the scratch.” Anwar, whose 194 is still the highest individual score in One-Day Internationals, has a different opinion regarding the general observation of T20 spoiling Test cricket. “Yes, T20 easily grabs attraction and it is really good for the promotion of the game in countries such as the US and some other nations who are finding it difficult to introduce the five-day Tests and even the 50-over game. One cannot simply blame T20. The seniors have proved it this year by scoring better than many of the juniors did in the second IPL in South Africa.” Later, speaking at a reception which was chaired by Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Badawi, Chairman of the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and JCA Chairman Dr Faiz Al-Abideen, Anwar said he has special affinity for Saudi Arabia. “Any Muslim would love to be in this holy land. But I have an added sentiment. I love Saudi Arabia because I started playing cricket in 1979 in Riyadh. Though I loved soccer at that time it was my father who took me to cricket.” Observing the development in the game of cricket in Saudi Arabia which is now an affiliate member of International Cricket Council Anwar said, “I will always be happy and ready to offer my expertise for the development of the game in the Kingdom.” __
