Lost hosting rights to motivate Pak to win World Cup: Team manager

LAHORE - Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam is confident that his players can win next year’s World Cup to make up for the country’s loss of hosting rights.

Pakistan was one of the four original hosts of the event, but an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to strip them of hosting rights.

The attack, which killed eight people and wounded seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach, led to the suspension of all international cricket in Pakistan as teams refused to tour over security fears.

India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will now host the event from February 19 to April 2.

“Unfortunately we were deprived of hosting World Cup matches, but I’m confident my players have the ability to win the trophy,” the Daily Times quoted Alam, as saying.

He further believes that Pakistan is on track to win the tournament.

“I am happy with the progress of the team and hopefully we will do our best to win the trophy,” Intikhab said. (ANI)