Pakistan not benefiting by playing against lower-ranked teams: Abdul Qadir

Spin great believes Men in Green should play against opposition keeping 2019 World Cup in mind

KARACHI: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to avoid playing against lower-ranked opponents in order to effectively prepare for the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

Qadir — who picked up over 300 wickets in international cricket — has said that the Pakistan team won’t gain much from the ongoing triangular series in Zimbabwe as they up are against lower-ranked Zimbabwe and inexperienced Aussies.

He added that the board needs to ensure that the players are equipped to handle the pitches and conditions in England.

"The Tri-Series between Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Australia won't benefit Pakistan as Zimbabwe is a low ranked team, whereas Australia has played a young team in the series which is inexperienced as compared to Pakistan," Qadir said according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Qadir further stated that praising the team and board for winning against lesser opponents won’t help in preparing for the upcoming World Cup due to the less challenging nature of the series.

"PCB gets all the praise when Pakistan win against low ranked teams but this won't help the players' performance," he said.

He also said that PCB needs to form an A team which can be used as a replacement for the national side, while also stressing on the importance of hunting and grooming young talent in the country.

"If in case any of our players from the national team gets injured or hurt, then his replacement will be present in the A team," he said. “PCB must also hunt for talent from all over the country and groom them for future.”