Azhar Mahmood claims Pak players have ability, skill to win CWC but lack confidence

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has claimed that Misbah-ul Haq's men have the ability and skills to win the World Cup, but insisted that they just lack confidence to do so.

Pakistan started their World Cup campaign on shaky grounds, losing the first match to India and second to West Indies before going on to win three matches consecutively with their latest victory coming against South Africa.

Pakistan's confidence might have gotten some boost following their 29-run win over South Africa, and Mahmood believes that their players have the ability and the skills to win cricket's showpiece event, but claims that they just lack confidence, Pak Passion reported.

Mahmood said that if the team management manage the players well and give them confidence then they are more than capable of performing, insisting that this is where the captain and coach's roles are so important.

The all-rounder claimed that a captain and a coach can make or break a player, adding that over the years, unfortunately, there have been far too many occasions where players have been ruined by captains and or the coach.

Mahmood insisted that man management is so important as it can lift a player and give that player confidence and once he has that confidence and self-belief he can perform.

Mahmood said that sometimes tough decisions have to be made but added that it's so important that when making those tough decisions, one thinks about man management.

Pakistan would face Ireland in the last match of their Pool 'B' on Sunday, March 15, the report added.