Talent without direction, says Mohsin

Mohsin said that Australia, despite losing the series, were the ones who gained from the rubber. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Former Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan was impressed by the talent but unsatisfied with the absence of a game plan after the team sealed a 2-1 win in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia — their last international assignment before the World Twenty20.

A heavy defeat in the last match took some gloss away from the triumph and Mohsin felt the team management did not have a game-plan, the absence of which, he feared, may haunt the team’s chances in Sri Lanka.

“The team comprises a bunch of talented players,” said the former opener. “But they need proper guidance and planning after which they have very bright chances of getting good results in the tournament. But without a proper game plan, even team comprising 11 super stars cannot win. The loss to Australia in the last match showed this problem. We are still struggling to get the right combination and hence failed to avail maximum benefit from the series.”

He also criticised the decision to keep Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Sami on the bench for the third consecutive match.

“This has shown our poor planning for the World T20. After winning the series we should have tested these players too. We should have also rested Saeed Ajmal to assess our bowling strength without him.”

Mohsin said that Australia, despite losing the series, were the ones who gained from the rubber.

“Australia achieved for what they came for. They came to UAE to get acclimatised to the hot weather and slow pitches so that they could be better prepared for Sri Lanka. Secondly, they also tested all their players efficiently.”

Loss an eye-opener: Younus

Meanwhile, former captain Younus Khan also termed the loss as a wake-up call before the World Twenty20.

“The loss has given Mohammad Hafeez a chance to assess his options before the tournament,” said Younus. “I hope Hafeez uses his players effectively. We have the resources but we failed to capitalise on them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2012.