CHENNAI: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq will channel the spirit of record-setting compatriot Saeed Anwar and his country’s winning relationship with Chennai on Monday in an effort to revive the team’s World Cup campaign.
Pakistan tackle Afghanistan at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium where in 1997, flamboyant left-handed opener Anwar hit a monumental 194 against India.
At the time it was the highest individual ODI score while Anwar’s heroics also gave Pakistan a 35-run win over their arch-rivals.
Pakistan maintained their two-game undefeated run at the stadium with a six-wicket win over India in 2012.
“We have a great record at this venue, so I am sure that will be a motivation,” said Haq, who was only two when Anwar blitzed the India team which featured the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in 1997.
“Although I don’t have any memory of Saeed Anwar’s record, that too will be a motivation.”
Pakistan started the World Cup with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but the 1992 champions then suffered back-to-back losses to India and Australia.
They have slipped to fifth in the 10-nation table with the top four going through to the semifinals.
“We have to admit we did not play well in those games,” said Haq on Sunday.
“We were not up to the mark, did not get the execution right and defeat always lowers morale.”
Haq scored 36 against India in Ahmedabad but Pakistan collapsed from 155-2 to 191 all out, losing by seven wickets.
The 27-year-old then scored 70 against Australia in a daunting chase of a 368-run target in Bengaluru where Pakistan slipped to a 62-run defeat.
“We dropped crucial catches and that hurt,” said Haq.
David Warner was on 10 when he was dropped by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi — he went on to make 163 and share a record Australian World Cup opening stand of 259 with Mitchell Marsh who compiled 121.
“You will see a new thing tomorrow. We want to go to Kolkata with four wins in six games,” said Haq, whose team will also face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.
Haq also played down the threat posed by Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi at a venue renowned as a slow bowlers paradise.
“We know this ground favors spinners and they have quality spin bowlers but we have beaten them 3-0 recently in a one-day series in Sri Lanka under the same conditions,” said Haq.
“We all know Afghanistan is a good team and in these conditions they will be tough but we are ready for that and will execute our plans.”
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Pakistan inspired by Anwar’s Chennai magic at World Cup
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Pakistan inspired by Anwar’s Chennai magic at World Cup
- Pakistani opener Saeed Anwar scored 194 runs against India at same venue in 1997
- Pakistan take on Afghanistan on spin-friendly track in Chennai on Monday for World Cup clash
LeBron James becomes the oldest player to have a triple-double in NBA history
- James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory
- LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks
LOS ANGELES: LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory. James got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after grabbing his final rebound to complete his 123rd career triple-double, fifth-most in NBA history.
At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.
But the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since last Feb. 1, 2025, in New York. That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a seismic trade for Anthony Davis.
Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season. James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record repeatedly over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.
After missing Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip against the Mavericks in the absence of Luka Doncic. The NBA scoring leader missed his fourth straight game for the Lakers with a mild hamstring strain.
James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter alone, and he had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime. He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, and he played the entire fourth quarter before grabbing the 10th rebound.
James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome even though he has missed 18 games this season due to injury. That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team.
James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves simultaneously healthy. James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.
James has 152 career triple-doubles when the playoffs are included.
James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory. James got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after grabbing his final rebound to complete his 123rd career triple-double, fifth-most in NBA history.
At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.
But the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since last Feb. 1, 2025, in New York. That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a seismic trade for Anthony Davis.
Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season. James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record repeatedly over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.
After missing Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip against the Mavericks in the absence of Luka Doncic. The NBA scoring leader missed his fourth straight game for the Lakers with a mild hamstring strain.
James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter alone, and he had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime. He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, and he played the entire fourth quarter before grabbing the 10th rebound.
James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome even though he has missed 18 games this season due to injury. That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team.
James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves simultaneously healthy. James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.
James has 152 career triple-doubles when the playoffs are included.
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