Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has urged the India-bound Pakistan team to be positive and aggressive while Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan advised the players to win the Indian hearts with their conduct and behaviour.
"My team won in 1986 because we played positive and aggressive cricket. We were not scared of losing. I am sure if you play with same zeal, dedication and commitment, success will be in your feet," Imran told the squad during a pep talk in Lahore on Sunday evening.
The Pakistan team leaves for New Delhi this afternoon on a 50-day tour. It will be their first Test tour of India in six years and seventh since 1952-53.
"You have to be mentally stronger than the Indian team. You have to believe in yourself and keep faith in your abilities and talent. If you gel together, back each other and play as a unit, I am sure you will put up a performance you will be proud of," he said.
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"Now its all up to us how we play. We have to let our performance do all the talking. The next 50 days are going to be very crucial cricketing days in the careers of many. So its better to concentrate (on the Indian series) rather than think of the West Indies tour (in June) or financial benefits," Inzamam said.
Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, who was the manager of the 1999 cricket team that toured India, advised the players to enhance the image of the country by their conduct, performance and humble attitude.
"For the next 50 days, you will be the ambassadors of the country. The Indian public will see Pakistan in you. Now it's up to you what picture you want to show them. But we are all hoping that with your conduct, you will prove that Pakistan is a moderate, peace-loving and tolerate society," Shaharyar said in his address to the team.
Shaharyar recalled that in 1999 the team won the hearts of millions of Indian fans because of the attitude, conduct and performance.
"Don't forget that besides cricket, you will be on a goodwill tour and the excellent relations between the two countries have to be maintained at all cost."
Board insiders said Shaharyar, considered as a fatherly figure in PCB, minced no words in communicating that no act of indiscipline would be tolerated.
"One act of indiscipline and the manager will book you on your next flight home," sources quoted Shaharyar as telling the players.
The PCB later in the evening arranged a lavish dinner for the India-bound team that was attended by celebrated former Test cricketers besides the board officials.
