Yousuf rules out 'religion' affect;Entire team to blame for debacle

Lahore, Apr 19 (UNI) Middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf held the entire World Cup squad responsible for Pakistan's flop show but denied religion had affected their performance while fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar called for better strategy to beat top teams like Australia within the next five months.

''We can not blame any single player. The entire team played badly,'' Yousuf told the World Cup probe committee yesterday. He also denied the impression that focus on religion played any role for the dismal performance.

Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar, who was not part of the Cup squad, said Pakistan can lift itself up to beat top teams and there was no point of crying over spilt milk.

''Pakistan players should take a new start to salvage the pride.

And for that they should forget what happened in the World Cup. I believe with better planning and strategy, Pakistan can beat Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and other teams in next five months,'' Shoaib was quoted as saying to 'The News'.

Meanwhile, Asif attributed Pakistan's shock defeat against minnows Ireland to a green wicket and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to prepare sporting wickets to avoid such mishaps in future.

The committee, formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), comprises former cricketers Ejaz Butt, Salim Altaf and Salahuddin Ahmad.

Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum will appear before the committee today.

UNI