‘Pakistan may have been lazy after series win’

Waqar Younis admits his side may have been “lazy” as it lost the last One-Day International against New Zealand.

AUCKLAND: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis admitted his side may have been “lazy” as it lost the last One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand but clinched the six-match series 3-2. A Jesse Ryder century drove New Zealand to a consolation 57-run win in the final match as the hosts posted 311 for seven before rolling the tourists over for 254 in the 45th over.

“We tried our best but it didn’t really happen,” said Younis. “When you win the series, it’s hard to be motivated sometimes. Maybe you get a little lazy at times, but overall I’m happy with the way the boys played today.” Pakistan not only clinched their first ODI series since 2008 but also won in New Zealand after 17 years. The tourists had earlier also triumphed in the Test series 1-0.

“With the amount of controversy in the last eight to nine months, we needed something like this. We needed to develop our team again, and the only way we could do it is if we started playing well,” said Younis.

Day’s play

New Zealand produced their most impressive innings of the series. After being dropped by Abdul Razzaq on 13, Ryder offered no further chances in his batting blitz until his eventual dismissal. His 107 came from 93 deliveries and included six sixes and seven fours, and a 123-run stand for the second wicket with Martin Guptill.

Pakistan’s run chase hit an early hurdle when Ahmed Shehzad, a century-maker in the last game, was removed in the third over by Kyle Mills for six with Hafeez (21) and Younis Khan (16) following soon after.

Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq set about repairing the innings until a lack of clear calling saw Asad run out.

James Franklin then removed Umar Akmal and Pakistan’s top scorer Kamran Akmal in quick succession as Pakistan crashed out of the game.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2011.