Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Thursday advised the country's women's cricket team taking part in the ICC Women's World Cup in England, to emulate their male counterparts -- the newly-crowned Champions Trophy winners.
"My advice to the team would be similar to the one that I gave to the men's team -- the players must play fearless cricket and shouldn't be worried about defeat," Afridi wrote in his column for the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.
"Any negative thoughts can hamper their skills too, hence a positive attitude is imperative for success", the former all-rounder added.
The men's team staged one of the most astonishing sporting turnaround by winning the ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan was the eighth-ranked side coming into the tournament and had barely managed to qualify. They were hammered in their opening match by arch-rivals India but from thereon Sarfaraz Ahmed's men played with renewed vigour and energy to defeat pre-tournament favourites South Africa, England and India on their way to winning the title.
"The Pakistan women's side does not need to go far to find inspiration ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017. The men's team, led by Sarfraz Ahmed, has shown them the way, proving how predictions can go for a toss with a few stimulating performances," Afridi further said.
The Pakistan women's team will play their tournament opener against South Africa on Sunday.
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--IANS
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