Pakistan have always been one of the favourites for the World Cup, but that is not the case in Australia and New Zealand for the 2015 competition.
Former Pakistan bowler, Shoaib Akhtar hopes that the team will be able to replicate the performance of the 1992 World Cup, which they won, without having a team littered with stars.
It was the leadership of Imran Khan during the competition which helped them win the prestigious title, and Akhtar wants current skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to lead the team from the front.
"Imran lifted a deflated side in 1992 to win the World Cup with some great frontline performances. I hope Misbah can do the same with this troubled side," Akhtar told Geo News channel.
During the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan had to struggle in their initial matches before showcasing their skills in the business end of the competition.
Pakistan have always been a great side comprising of some of the best individual talent, but they have, most of the times, failed as a unit.
Their team have also been bogged down recently with injuries to opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez and paceman Junaid Khan, who are set to miss the mega event. Add to it, Pakistan will also miss the services of Saeed Ajmal in the competition.
"The Pakistan team is passing through a very difficult phase after having also lost Muhammad Hafeez. The onus is now on Misbah to set the tone with frontline performances," added Akhtar.
Misbah needs to lead from the front straight away when they play India in their first match of the World Cup. A victory against India will make them a confident unit, and put them in great shape for future matches, but they are aware of the task in hand, as they have not defeated India in any World Cup matches.
Pakistan do not come into the tournament full of confidence, having lost to the Black Caps in the ODI series in the UAE and also in New Zealand.
