Former cricket legends were unanimous in their opinion that Pakistan need to find a way to survive on the bouncy tracks in South Africa. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan’s 211-run drubbing in the first Test in Johannesburg at the hands of the Proteas was a result of the team’s lack of determination and fighting spirit, according to former coach Mohsin Khan.
Pakistan were bowled out for 49 in the first-innings, their lowest total in the format, before being dismissed for 268 in the second innings to hand a 1-0 lead to South Africa in the three-match series.
Mohsin – who was Pakistan’s coach in the 3-0 whitewash over England last year – said motivation was missing from the team.
“It was a result of the lack of determination, fighting spirit and killer instinct,” the former coach told The Express Tribune while commenting on the defeat against South Africa in the first match. “It is more or less the same team that outclassed England, but motivation was the difference. Because of these factors our batsmen made countless mistakes. For example, they went for every delivery without reading and lost their wickets.”
The former Test opener who was known for his defiance on difficult conditions said the team looked under-prepared for the difficult South Africa tour during the opening Test.
“The performance was a contrast to what we heard before the team’s departure. The team management had claimed that the team was ready and highly motivated. But unfortunately that was not the case. The conditions there are not surprising and everybody knew it will be difficult, so they should have gone well prepared.”
Mohsin – a former chief selector as well – also criticised the team selection.
“The decision to include Rahat Ali was beyond me. Initially he wasn’t picked even among reserves and all of sudden he was given a Test cap. I wish the fast bowler a bright future but I believe he isn’t ready for international cricket. The selectors and team management should have gone for experienced bowlers like Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema.”
However, the former coach felt the team has the ability to bounce back provided it plays with determination.
He showed faith in Younus Khan – who flopped in the first match – and termed him Pakistan’s trump card in batting.
“Younus remains the backbone of Pakistan batting and hopefully he will regain rhythm in remaining series.”
Team can make a comeback: Inzamam
Meanwhile, former captain Inzamamul Haq said the team can find form again but a lot of hard work will be needed.
“We failed to take on the pressure,” said the legendary batsman. “We should learn to play under pressure otherwise we will not be able to give a good fight. It’s the job of coaches to prepare the team to play well in all circumstances.”
Former test spinner Mushtaq Ahmed called for the appointment of a batting coach as he felt that Pakistan batsmen failed completely on the unfamiliar track.
“We do well on flat pitches but we look clueless on bouncy tracks,” said the former leg-spinner. “We need a batting coach such as former great Inzamamul Haq who can be a mentor for young batsmen like Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.”
Injured Sohail returns home
Pakistan suffered another injury blow when left-handed batsman Haris Sohail returned home from South Africa without playing.
According to a team official, Sohail has been advised a month-long rest for his ankle injury which forced him out of the tour.
The team management is yet to decide on a replacement for the youngster.
Earlier, opening batsman Taufeeq Umar was ruled out of the Test series following a leg injury.
Mohsin Khan
“The performance was a contrast to what we heard before the team’s departure. The team management had claimed that the team was ready and highly motivated. But that was not the case.”
Inzamam
“We should learn to play under pressure otherwise we will not be able to give a good fight. It’s the job of coaches to prepare the team to play well in all circumstances.”
Mushtaq Ahmed
“We do well on flat pitches but we look clueless on bouncy tracks. We need a batting coach such as former great Inzamamul Haq who can be a mentor for young batsmen.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.
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@HH: fully agree with you. atleast there are still some sane voices.
Inzi is bang on as always.
I think senior players wanted to say skills not determination. Cricket is a game of skills and our recent test players missing those skills which is required to play on such kind of tracks.
Its too early to criticize. To be honest, I don't have much hope that we'll do any better in this test series !
Mr. Syed Nayyar ud din Ahmad asks that Mr. Zaka fire Mr. Whartmore; but what about PCB itself? Is it doing it's job?
@Taimoor: that was 53 and 57
Mohsin Hassan Khan benefitted from a well knit and well oiled unit groomed and polished by Waqar Younis. It was a pity Waqar had to leave to accomodate the return of Shahid Afridi, an extremely mediocre and tempramental cricketer who can only pay 300 odd games and avg 22 with the bat and 38 with the ball and yet be reverred as a hero. Only in Pakistan can cricketers who score at snail's pace and then move to India to become an (unsuccessful) hero become Chief Selector and Head Coach and the be brought as an "expert" coughs on talkshows with their vague analysis and partial views can come up with such criticism.
it is the collective fault of us as a nation that we make gods out of ordinary mortals.
Mr. Taimoor, it was 53 and 59. So in any case 49 was the lowest score.
Always easy to speak after the event Mohsin. I am sure he'll always find a receptive audience like Mr Nayyar above. Pakistan needs to stick with Whatmore. Look at how keeping Andy Flower benefited England. The hiring and sacking of coaches regularly clearly doesnt work. Khan sb we know you want your old job back but if your last four results hadnt been sound thrashings at the hands of the goras we'd be more supportive!
@Taimoor... it was 54 and 54 or 56... just read it a couple of days back in cricinfo.
Mr. Taimoor, Pakistan was bowled out for 53 & 59. The 43 is the ODI score against WI in SA of Pakistan.
seriously, am i the only one who remembers the drubbing at the hands of aus in sharjah where we were bowled out for 43 and 47?! 49 is NOT the lowest total in test cricket for pakistan.
Ignominy of 49 - Sack the coach before he ensures that ICC takes back Test Status from Pakistan
Bring back Mohsin Hassan Khan as head coach of Pakistan cricket team
The nation demands from Mr. Zaka Ashraf, Chairman PCB to immediately sack this much hyped professional coach of Pakistani cricket team Dav Whatmore, for being directly responsible of the ever declining standards of team's batting, wherein, today our cricket team got out in the 1st innings of the 1st Test match, against South African cricket team, on the lowest ever Test score of just 49 runs. In fact, today the 2nd February 2013, will be remembered as the BLACK DAY of Pakistan cricket.
It is seriously apprehended that if PCB persists with Dav Whatmore any further, soon our team's Test status, may not be revoked by the ICC.
As such, in the larger national interest, the countrymen are fully justified in demanding immediate appointment of Mr. Mohsin Hassan Khan (who lately proved with results, to be the most successful coach in the cricketing history of Pakistan), as head coach of Pakistan cricket team. Moreover, he should be advised to take over the charge of his job in South Africa, as soon as possible.
In case MHK is not available for any reasons whatsoever, either Mr. Wasim Bari or Mr. Abdul Qadir, fully deserves to be appointed, as head coach of Pakistan cricket team.