Shahid Afridi Misbah Pakistan
Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq are going to hold the key for Pakistan in the 2015 world cup in Australia and New Zealand.Reuters

With the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand scheduled to kick off in a couple of weeks, former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged his countrymen down under to go with a positive mindset.

Inzamam may be remembered for the innumerable number of run outs he has been involved in, but what cannot be forgotten also is how destructive a player he was for Pakistan.

He is one of the most successful ODI batsmen for Pakistan with more than 11,000 runs against his name. He was one of the most important players for Pakistan when they won the World Cup in Australia in 1992 under the leadership of Imran Khan.

Inzamam praised the way Imran led the team then and advises the current set of players to play without fear.

"I speak from experience. In the 1992 World Cup despite losing six matches, Imran Khan never allowed us to lose hope or hang our heads," Inzamam was quoted as saying by PTI.

"We remained positive and the end result was we emerged as upset winners of the competition.

"If we remain positive and play without fear of defeat I am sure this team, like the one in 1992, can surprise many people."

Pakistan have always been one of the favourites in most ICC events, for they have an array of stars, who on their day can destroy sides single-handedly. But, more than once, their players have failed to play together as a unit.

In Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, they have the much needed firepower to win the competition for the second time since the competition started in 1975.

"Nowadays cricket has changed a lot and it is difficult for the bowlers and we have some issues to resolve in this department," added Inzamam.

"But I would still advise our players not to fear defeat and to remain positive even if they lose a few matches."

Pakistan have been pitted in a tough pool, which includes heavyweights such as India, South Africa, West Indies, along with UAE, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

The men in green are expected to at least progress into the knockout rounds of the competition.

Pakistan kick off their World Cup with a huge game against their long-time rivals India on the 15th of February at the Adelaide Oval.

Pakistan will do their confidence a world of good if they break their World Cup jinx against India.