Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan let loose the first bouncer of the series-that-may-be by saying that the Indians were chokers, vulnerable under pressure. It’s the same views expressed by Sunil Gavaskar after the VB Series finals.Imran, who agreed to a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board to give the fast bowlers a pep talk ahead of the series, said there were two issues key to the series outcome: mental strength and technical aspects.‘‘For me, mental strength will count more against India as on form India looks better,” said Khan. ‘‘We were a weaker side on paper on our tour to India in 1987 but handled the pressure well and won the series and this forthcoming series will also be won by a team which is stronger mentally.’’That side, he indicated, would be Pakistan. ‘‘I agree with Sunil Gavaskar’s assertion that Indians are chokers, the way they buckled under pressure proves they are vulnerable’’, said khan, who took a record 40 wickets against India in a six-match series in 1982-83. ‘‘Pakistan’s team has done well in New Zealand and I will give them an overall talk on how to handle mental pressure against India’’, he added.Khan’s protege Wasim Akram also said he believed Pakistani bowlers have an edge over the Indian attack. ‘‘After what I saw in Australia I can say that the Pakistani attack, with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, has an edge over the Indian bowling but it will depend how the home attack pressurises the Indian batting power house’’, he said.
