2 3 4 World Cup 2003 TOP OF THE CHARTS Syed Khalid Mahmood Foreword by Mansoor Akhtar Published by Jumbo Publishing 5 Copyright © Syed Khalid Mahmood Cover Design: Athar Amjad ISBN: 969-8893-01-6 1st Edition: 2006 Price in Pakistan: Rs. 500 Published by Jumbo Publishing Suite # 15, Ground Floor, Habib Chamber, ST-12, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Karachi-75300, Pakistan Phones: +9221 34890388, 34890389 Fax: +9221 34890387 Web: www.jumbopublishing.com Email:
[email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publishers and the copyright holder. 6 To my younger daughter Beenish whose innocence and grace inspire me, motivate me and keep me focussed 7 8 Foreword Pakistan’s cricket team until a few year ago had quite clearly lacked in the critical areas of game plan and strategy, mental strength, fitness and making optimum use of their individual brilliance to the team’s cause. The decline had perhaps begun as early as the 1999 World Cup final, and peaked during the 2003 World Cup tournament and it became more obvious in the aftermath of the twin series defeats against India at home in early 2004. The services of Bob Woolmer as coach were acquired by the Pakistan Cricket Board in an effort to ensure that the team came up with improved performance and did justice with the loads of talent. The move has paid dividends.