Afridi under advice from Imran, Wasim

The experienced Imran and Wasim Akram have advised Afridi. "Union is strength and team spirit is the best spirit", said the veterans. Afridi's flamboyance is tempered by wise counsel.

"Yes I spoke to Imran Khan and Wasim Akram as I idolise them for their exploits for Pakistan cricket and both were very supportive and gave some sound advice." said the aggressive Pak captain.

Imran told him to keep the spirits in the Pak camp alive and lead from the front with some inspiring all round performance.

"Imran said unity would be the key to success in the tournament and if the players had self-belief and stuck together in the World Cup, they would achieve wonders."

"Imran's other advice was to be prepared for injury problems in the tournament and not to get discouraged. He said Pakistan had proved everyone wrong by winning the 92' tournament."

"Imran bhai also advised that we should be careful about the dew factor in the tournament as most of the matches are day and night fixtures and in March and April he pointed out that this was a major issue in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the evening."

Akram advised him to back his players all the time and not to criticise any of his players in public.

"Wasim's contention was this way the players even if they were struggling for form retained their confidence which was the key to winning the World Cup."

Akram said this Pak team has the ability to win the Cup.

"He also reminded me that in such a long event it was necessary to remain focused all the time and not to give up even if they were some bad results along the way."

Inspiring performance from the leader is a major factor. A sleeping Indian team was woken from its slumber by the powerful hitting of its captain, Kapil Dev, who scored 175 no against Zim at Turnbridge Wells and this knock turned the team around.

Ranatunga's inspiring batting and leadership was responsible for the 1996 WC victory.

Clive Lloyd's magnificent hundred at the final sealed the fate of the 1975 Cup. Also Ponting's 140 against India in 2003.

If the captain leads from the front, then any team will be inspired and will play superlative cricket. If on the other hand, lacklustre leadership and performance from the captain can only show the team the way out !