Timid Indians did wonder for US

Chandigarh, April 5: Pakistan Cricket Board chief and former skipper Majid Khan said today the Indian tour was the best thing to have hap...

Chandigarh, April 5: Pakistan Cricket Board chief and former skipper Majid Khan said today the Indian tour was the best thing to have happened to his country’s team in a long time. After the stink raised by allegations of match-fixing and betting, Majid feels, “the timid Indian approach while playing Pakistan has done wonders to our team’s confidence. There is a certain spring in our strides whenever we play India. We must thank the Indians for being such magnanimous hosts.”

About India, he said: “You have good individual skills. There are four-five batsmen in the side with a 40-plus average in One Day Internationals, but why don’t they play their normal game against Pakistan? For God sake, don’t put so much pressure on Sachin Tendulkar,” he added.

Majid, who was born in Ludhiana (his father Jehangir Khan played for India), was instrumental in getting the match-fixing and bribery allegations probed by a judge, the report of which is expected any day now.

He also entered into a row with the PCBpresident Khalid Mehmood and had even openly criticised the appointment of the previous skipper Aamir Sohail. “I never compromised in my playing days. I owe a lot to the Pakistan cricket and would never hesitate in speaking the truth,” he said.

Belonging to a family of rich sporting-tradition, Majid was one of the most successful Pakistan captains. He is also credited with shaping the career of his more famous cousin, Imran Khan. “Imran was always talented. He was a natural leader.”

After Jehangir, Majid and Imran, the family’s third generation is also ready to don the national colours. Majid’s talented son Bazid Khan has already led the national under-19 side, and is poised to seal his berth in the senior side as well. “Let’s see how he progresses. I don’t want to push him with things,” Majid felt.

After this tour, Majid knows he will leave India with a “heavy heart, so affectionate have the people been here.”