Asia Cup: A number of poor decisions cost us the India game, says Sarfraz Nawaz
Former fast-bowler Sarfraz defends Pakistan pacemen’s poor show in Asia Cup clash.
KARACHI:
Former Pakistan fast-bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who mentored the team’s fast-bowlers before the Asia Cup, defended the pacemen after they were thrashed by India batsmen during their Asia Cup clash on Sunday.
India recorded their highest successful chase in One-Day Internationals (ODI), overhauling Pakistan’s 329-run total with Virat Kohli hitting a fine 183.
While the clash was billed to be a good match-up between Pakistan bowlers and India batsmen, it turned out to be an anti-climax with Kohli, Tendulkar and Sharma making the record chase easy.
However, Sarfraz, who held a training camp with Hammad Azam, Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema before the team departed for Bangladesh, said poor planning was to be blamed for the pacemen’s failure.
“All our bowlers were beaten in the match,” Sarfraz told The Express Tribune. “And I believe poor planning led to the defeat against India.”
The former fast-bowler also defended Riaz’s show after the left-armer conceded 50 off four overs, helping India’s cause in the run-chase.
“As far as Riaz is concerned, the team management shattered his confidence with a number of poor decisions.
“They didn’t give him a chance in the opening two matches [against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka] after he warmed the bench during the series against England as well.
“Then all of a sudden he was included for a tense encounter and wasn’t even used properly.
“Then the decision to open with a spinner [Mohammad Hafeez] dented the pacers’ confidence.
“Riaz was introduced when the Indian batsmen were on fire. How can you expect a bowler to perform without match practice in such circumstances?”
‘Defensive strategy led the team down’
Meanwhile, former captain Rashid Latif felt that defensive planning led to defeat against India.
“Pakistan adopted a defensive strategy. Their approach could be gauged by their decision to drop a regular wicket-keeper.”
Another former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed believed pacers’ failure in the match cost defeat.
“If Riaz failed, then Hammad should have been given the ball.”
Razzaq expresses optimism
Meanwhile, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was confident that Pakistan will bounce back in the final.
“Pakistan should have scored 350. They ended a few runs short and those proved costly.
“However, they will learn from their mistakes and I would still rate them as the favourites to win the tournament.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2012.
Former Pakistan fast-bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who mentored the team’s fast-bowlers before the Asia Cup, defended the pacemen after they were thrashed by India batsmen during their Asia Cup clash on Sunday.
India recorded their highest successful chase in One-Day Internationals (ODI), overhauling Pakistan’s 329-run total with Virat Kohli hitting a fine 183.
While the clash was billed to be a good match-up between Pakistan bowlers and India batsmen, it turned out to be an anti-climax with Kohli, Tendulkar and Sharma making the record chase easy.
However, Sarfraz, who held a training camp with Hammad Azam, Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema before the team departed for Bangladesh, said poor planning was to be blamed for the pacemen’s failure.
“All our bowlers were beaten in the match,” Sarfraz told The Express Tribune. “And I believe poor planning led to the defeat against India.”
The former fast-bowler also defended Riaz’s show after the left-armer conceded 50 off four overs, helping India’s cause in the run-chase.
“As far as Riaz is concerned, the team management shattered his confidence with a number of poor decisions.
“They didn’t give him a chance in the opening two matches [against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka] after he warmed the bench during the series against England as well.
“Then all of a sudden he was included for a tense encounter and wasn’t even used properly.
“Then the decision to open with a spinner [Mohammad Hafeez] dented the pacers’ confidence.
“Riaz was introduced when the Indian batsmen were on fire. How can you expect a bowler to perform without match practice in such circumstances?”
‘Defensive strategy led the team down’
Meanwhile, former captain Rashid Latif felt that defensive planning led to defeat against India.
“Pakistan adopted a defensive strategy. Their approach could be gauged by their decision to drop a regular wicket-keeper.”
Another former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed believed pacers’ failure in the match cost defeat.
“If Riaz failed, then Hammad should have been given the ball.”
Razzaq expresses optimism
Meanwhile, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was confident that Pakistan will bounce back in the final.
“Pakistan should have scored 350. They ended a few runs short and those proved costly.
“However, they will learn from their mistakes and I would still rate them as the favourites to win the tournament.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2012.