Yasir should not have been dropped, says Qadir

Legendary leg-spinner blasts strategy of fielding all pacers in second Test

KARACHI: New Zealand’s second innings on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan saw them give a target of 369 runs to the visitors following a cracking century by Ross Taylor as Pakistan’s bowlers failed to put the Kiwi batsmen under pressure.

Taylor made 102 off 134 ball, including 16 boundaries, to help New Zealand reach 313-5 at 3.66 runs per over before captain Kane Williamson decided to declare the innings.

Opening batsman Tom Latham also returned to form with an 80-run knock, while Williamson and Colin de Grandhomme chipped in with 42 and 32 runs respectively.

Muhammad Amir, who was spearheading Pakistan’s attack, struggled to take wickets and returned with figures of 86-1 while Imran Khan was the visitor’s most successful bowler grabbing three wickets for the second time in the match.

Left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz (53-1) was the other wicket-taker as Sohail Khan, who claimed four wickets in the first innings, remained wicket-less.

Pakistan dropped key spinner Yasir Shah for the match expecting a green top throughout the match which would favour fast-bowlers, however, legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir believes dropping Yasir was a huge mistake.

“Pakistan missed Yasir in the second innings,” Qadir told The Express Tribune. “If he was there, New Zealand would not have scored 313 in the third innings of the match with not much grass left on the pitch.”

The former chief selector further added, “You should have a lethal group of fast bowlers if you are carrying only quickies in your bowling attack like once the West Indies used to do in the 1980s. Unfortunately, that is not the case with current Pakistan team which has just got mediocre bowlers in its pace arsenal.”

Qadir, however, praised Imran Khan who took six wickets in the match on his return to team after a year’s gap. “It’s encouraging comeback for Imran as he took wickets while bowlers who have been rated as Pakistan’s top fast bowlers struggled to take wickets.”

Pakistan must learn to tackle short balls

While commenting on the Pakistan batsmen’s below-par performance in the series, Qadir said they should learn to play short balls.

“Pakistan need to learn to deal with short balls as they have a crucial Australia tour coming up after this series,” he said.

He further added, “The batsmen need to adapt to new playing conditions. Instead of leaving the ball, they are following wide deliveries and giving their wickets away. This can be done in the UAE but in conditions such as in New Zealand, it is inappropriate. The batsmen need to show more responsibility,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2016.

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