
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 country8217;s team in a long time. After the stink raised by allegations of match-fixing and betting, Majid feels, 8220;the timid Indian approach while playing Pakistan has done wonders to our team8217;s confidence. There is a certain spring in our strides whenever we play India. We must thank the Indians for being such magnanimous hosts.8221;
About India, he said: 8220;You have good individual skills. There are four-five batsmen in the side with a 40-plus average in One Day Internationals, but why don8217;t they play their normal game against Pakistan? For God sake, don8217;t put so much pressure on Sachin Tendulkar,8221; 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. 8220;I never compromised in my playing days. I owe a lot to the Pakistan cricket and would never hesitate in speaking the truth,8221; 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. 8220;Imran was always talented. He was a natural leader.8221;
After Jehangir, Majid and Imran, the family8217;s third generation is also ready to don the national colours. Majid8217;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. 8220;Let8217;s see how he progresses. I don8217;t want to push him with things,8221; Majid felt.
After this tour, Majid knows he will leave India with a 8220;heavy heart, so affectionate have the people been here.8221;