http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080 comes down hard on Pakistani team’s performance – Cricket News Update
Pakistan’s former star pacer and the author of Controversially Yours, Shoaib Akhtar, has unleashed a volley of criticism against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s national squad, following their below average performances in the ongoing 4-match ODI series against England
in the UAE.
The Men in Green, who managed an impressive 3-0 clean sweep of England in the Test series, have failed to shine in the limited-overs fixtures, which Alastair Cook’s side currently lead, 2-0.
Following England’s 20-run win in the second one-dayer, the ex-speedster criticized Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy, saying he was too lenient with the team.
"Misbah needs to be more strict with the players. The way http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 got out today, I think Misbah needs to tell them what is expected of them as senior players (…) If Misbah doesn't get strict and press the red button I don't
think we can win this series," Akhtar said.
Umar Akmal also came under fire for his poor glove work along with his below par batting performance, and Akhtar recalled the former greats, like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084, who were equally good with both, the bat and glove.
He also went on to claim that Pakistan’s skipper should have been proactive in the field, in terms of attacking the opposition, suggesting that Misbah’s Test match approach has no room in the shorter version of the game.
Former coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Waqar-Younis-Maitla-c96193 also offered similar advice, saying that Misbah could not afford to adopt such a patient, passive attitude in one-day cricket.
Apart from the captain, Akhtar also had words of advice for the team in general. He criticized them for being lazy, and inconsistent, saying it was “pathetic” how the batsmen panicked and became “self-destructive” during the innings, instead of batting responsibily.
“They have made a fool and joke out of themselves in the first two matches,” said Akhtar. “And if they do not improve quickly I fear they could lose the series 4-0.”
Pakistan will have a final chance to redeem themselves this Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where they play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 for the 3rd ODI of the series.
Tags: