Don't know why we lose to India in World Cups: Inzamam-ul-Haq

We misread the wicket at Lord's and our 1999 ICC World Cup final against Australia was over before lunch was served. Despite losing the lopsided finale, I still believe this was the strongest Pakistan side to date to have featured in the quadrennial event.

The World Cup began in the third week of May. No wonder the pitches posed a big challenge for batsmen. Our batsmen also struggled in the early matches, but we had one of the most lethal bowling attacks with Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar. Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Glenn McGrath were at their best too, but Akram had an edge over them thanks to his mastery over the art of of reverse swing. Then, we also had one of the finest off-spinners in the form of Saqlain Mushtaq, who gave us enough bowling muscle to challenge any batting line-up.

Despite our two back-to-back victories, our win against Australia gave us enough self-belief. I scored my World Cup best score of 81 in that game. I also shared a 100-odd run partnership with Abdul Razzaq to help the team post 275. Akram's three late wickets took the game away from Australia and we won by 10 runs.

The Pakistan team was on a roll as we defeated New Zealand. Assured of a place in the Super Six, we then lost to Bangladesh. It was just not our day. That defeat led to two more, against South Africa and India. It's hard to explain as to why we haven't defeated India in any World Cup match. True, we were inexperienced in 1992, we didn't feel the pressure even when we lost against them in 1996, but the defeat at Manchester in 1999 still pinches me as I do believe we were the better team. I still don't know what goes wrong with us against them in a World Cup, but sometimes it's hard to give any explanation. I hope Pakistan win in Adelaide next month.

The victory against Zimbabwe was enough for us to enter the semifinal. A blistering century from Saeed Anwar and a crucial 81-run knock from Wajahatullah Wasti helped us beat New Zealand by nine wickets.

In the final, we lost to Australia. While they were celebrating, we had turned villains back home as all hell broke loose! Nobody cared that we had played in the final of the World Cup. It was very demoralising and demotivating for the players. People don't realise how difficult it is for the players to swallow that type of defeat and they are left to live rest of their lives with these nightmares.

Unfortunately, there is no acceptance or tolerance for defeat in Pakistan culture. This needs to change. As soon as there is a bad result, the knives are out. The Pakistan Cricket Board buckles under pressure, goes out on a witch-hunt and starts chopping and changing the side. I don't think any professional athlete can live and perform under such duress.

We, as a nation, need to learn and start accepting defeat. In school, one of my favourite poems was Try Again by William Hickson. I suggest people read this.

—International Cricket Council