KARACHI: Former Test cricketer, chief selector and coach Mohsin Khan has questioned the team management and the captain’s competence to handle affairs after Pakistan fell from a strong position to defeat in the final game in Sharjah, ultimately costing them the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia.
“Pakistan were hot favourites for the series,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “Our team was better than Australia in the conditions. Barring fielding, we were stronger than them in all the other departments. We should’ve won the final ODI and losing under the circumstances is very concerning.
“What I feel is that there was lack of a proper game plan. We failed to capitalise on good starts and made illogical decisions in crucial stages. Removing Saeed Ajmal from the attack when he was on fire in the final ODI was a blunder. I won’t blame just the captain but the coach as well, who is also responsible. Misbahul Haq is a hardworking player but not a smart captain. He needs guidance which he is unfortunately not getting.
“Because of our mistakes, millions of fans who were praying for the win were left heartbroken.”
Mohsin also pointed out the batting failure and poor fielding in the series. “Barring a couple of batsmen, our middle-order did not play well. We missed catches and it’s the coach’s job to guide players who are repeating the mistakes.”
‘Misbah’s captaincy needs to improve’
Former captain Aamir Sohail was unimpressed by Misbah’s captaincy. “He should learn how to use his fast-bowlers like Australia did. He didn’t utilise Junaid Khan when the spinners were struggling with the wet ball.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2012.
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sir i am poor boy but cricket my life and death plz sir my talent is give here plz sir sooprt me ok
I see the problem as one of Pakistani cricket captains in general, apart from Imran Khan i.e.of playing according to a pre-decided plan. That is fair enough. However, a good captain can change the plan according to how it is panning out. And that is where I feel Pakistani captains seriously lack, thinking and executing a plan on the fly according to changing game dynamics.
Misbah is one such culprit, prior to him Inzimam is another, all stuck to their plan and seemed bereft of ideas when the plans failed.
Whatever the case, its a cheap shot from Mohsin on Whatmore. Had Ajmal and Misbah decided to take the remaining review, Hussey would have been given out before he added those crucial runs. Lots of ifs and buts. Whatmore can coach the team, he cannot play the game for them. And this team is going to be seriously exposed on bouncy and seaming pitches. In which case, nothing has changed for Pakistan cricket, apart from new PCB members sponging off cricket revenues.
Mohsin trying very hard to get Coaching back. good luck Mohsin
get rid of Afridi and akmal brothers.
I think he wants his job back.he will never say that team selection was wrong.akmals,afridi,shoaib and list goes on and on.I hope they don't start thinking of bringing younis back in he use to be another liability in the side.I recommend Ahmed shezad should be given more chances and hafeez should play one or two down the order.
There is no mystery involved in our defeat or need to critisize coach or captain or game plan. If Ajmal was not taken off, who would have defended in the crucial last overs. Way back in 1975, we lost to West Indies in world cup semi final because last over was bowled by Wasim Raja with only 4 runs required. The reason is very simple if we analyse past matches. You cannot win one day games with grafters like Misbah and Asad Shafiq. They can stabilize at best. We had three hard hitting sloggers in Afridi / Umer and Kamran. They all failed at the same time. End of story.
Captain is also guilty of batting too slowly at a crucial time. Had he scored run a ball, the team would have scored 260 plus. I think Misbah has played his innings, he should retire now. Besides, Afridi and Umer Akmal have availed too many opportunities. They could be immensely talented but don't have the temperament to play for the team. They should be dropped. The case for Kamran Akmal is hopeless, no idea why is he still in the team. PCB should try to find a new wicket keeper.
More than anything else, the weather conditions favored the Pakistanis the most and even that proved to be ineffective against the not-so-strong-australian line up. Though Australians are not used to the weather conditions of the venues as much as the Pakistanis are used to, they managed to lift the cup. Looking at things right now with the Pakistani cricket team, there is the strong possibility of them not able to enter the finals of the T20 World Cup.
@Ch. Allah Daad: couldn't agree more. the problem lies in selection and not having good enough replacements. why the heck is hammad azam out of the team? why is anwar ali not given a chance? why do we insist on trying the same tried/tested/failed players again and again. mohsin khan has remained the chief selector for long enough and should answer these questions first before pointing fingers at whatmore and misbah.
I don't know why people wanted to see Akmal in the team! can't bat, certainly can't keep, why is he in the team? our people are just very short-sighted and look for the easy solution.
No doubt Misbah made very crucial mistakes, but all Captains make mistakes which are mostly ignored after victory and come back to haunt them in defeat. The real problem is team selection and cricket structure of the country. Why there is no alternative of Akmal brothers, Malik, Imran Farhat and other non performers. These players exit from one door and enter from another. Mohsin has been chief selector and coach of the team. Instead of becoming monday morning quarter back, he should answer these questions.
Afridi is done. Should go, give a chance to some newcomer.
Mohsin you may have a point or two regarding Misbah's captaincy. Afridi should have been taken off bowling soon, and more importantly Ajmal should have carried on bowling when he was tying knots around Aussies' tails. Though I feel your criticising Whatmore is a bit superfluous, no matter what the plan, on the spot decisions in the field are taken by the captain.
Get rid of Kamran Akmal.