Former Pakistan players blame missed opportunities for the series loss - Cricket News Update
Former Pakistani players have criticised the national team for underperforming in the recently concluded series against Sri Lankan, which resulted in a first series loss for the Men in Green since 2010.
Following a 209-run defeat in the first Test, Pakistan had no choice but to save the series after the second Test was washed out due to rain. However, the tourists missed out on opportunities at crucial moments during the third Test at Pallekele, which ultimately
led in a stalemate – handing the tourists a 1-0 series loss.
The result also brought an end to captain Misbah ul Haq’s unbeaten run in the longer version format since he took in charge of the duties following the infamous Lord’s Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 2010.
Former Pakistan Captain and opener, Amir Sohail blamed the lack of consistency in picking the right combination as the major factor for his team’s poor showing.
"Pakistan had opportunities in all three tests but they let them slip away and that cost them the series," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 didn't read the pitches correctly in all three tests of this series and that's why they didn't select the right combination
of 11 players."
Another former player from Karachi, Basit Ali put the reasons for defeat behind the ineffectiveness of premier spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 despite being the highest wicket taker (15) in the series."In my opinion Ajmal did not do as much as he should have done,"
said Ali. "Ajmal didn't bowl as well as he could have in the final test.”
Basit regretted over the use of fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 who was punished by the Lankan
batsmen.
"Pakistan didn't give new ball to Mohammad Sami in the final test which was surprising for me because Sami is very fast and could have done well."
However, there was still optimism considering the performances of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Asad-Shafiq-c46208 in the batting department, while many were particularly impressed with left-armer Junaid Khan’s efforts on docile Lankan pitches.
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