http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 hanging in there
Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis insists Pakistan will stay strong despite the recent problems that have plagued the side.
Three key Pakistan cricket players were recently sent back to Pakistan in the middle of a row over spot-fixing. The side has also only won one Test match against England in the entire international series between the two countries.
For the majority of sides, this list of negatives would have a very damaging impact on morale. However, Younis was no stranger to playing tough during his career and it seems he wants the entire Pakistani side to stay resilient.
There are many ways that Pakistan can go about the remainder of their tour in England. However, some will argue that the damage has already been done and Pakistan's reputation has taken a substantial blow.
Remainder of the tour
Many cricket pundits have said that Pakistan is best when the side is playing one-day international matches. Pakistan scored just under 300 in the second one-day international against England, which contradicted many views about the side's batting.
Each one-day international game presents a new chance for Pakistan's players to perform. The side is only 2-0 down to England with three games left. The side has also shown in the first two games that it has enough in the tank to cause England some real problems.
The mental side of the game will be key for Pakistan right now. Younis and the rest of the coaching set-up have to step in and make sure that morale does not drop. This is the biggest challenge facing the team at the moment.
Younis said: "We are trying to talk it out and make sure we keep our focus to the cricket rather than thinking of anything else. It has been tough for the last 10 days, I would say more than that because of what's happening at home and the floods. It's been really tough, and it's been a long tour also."
Damage has been done
Many high profile cricket individuals agree that the damage to Pakistani cricket has already been done. The spot-fixing row has seen three players sent home and it could be the case that the International Cricket Council is waiting for the tour of England to be over before handing out further punishments.
There is now a distinct danger that a lot of teams will refuse to play or tour Pakistan. This is because it has been widely publicised that Pakistan doesn't play cricket in the spirit of the game. The current members of the side have to hang in there and show that the country is still capable of playing the game for all the right reasons.
Younis added: "We have to make sure we stay focused on the game and deliver the goods in these ODIs. The last five games were not up to the mark."
Betting advice
It will take a very brave person to bet against England in the three remaining one-day international games of the current series. England has looked good and the side has risen to the occasion when Pakistan has raised some serious questions on the pitch.
Andrew Strauss has just scored a century in the second one-day international and will be full of confidence. Saeed Ajmal looks as though he is the most likely Pakistan bowler to take five wickets at the moment so don't be afraid to have a punt on him doing so.
Pakistan can snatch one of the final one-day games but England has a firm grip on the series and this is not likely to loosen over the final games.
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