Mohsin said that left-arm spinner Rehman needed to be included in the playing-eleven to reduce the pressure on Ajmal. PHOTO: AFP
Former coach Mohsin Khan believed Pakistan should have saved paceman Junaid Khan to bowl the final over of the innings against the West Indies in the tied third One-Day International (ODI).
Skipper Misbahul Haq gathered senior players before handing the ball to Wahab Riaz, a decision that backfired as the paceman conceded 14 runs when the hosts needed 15 to win.
Mohsin said Junaid’s ability to bowl yorkers would have helped Pakistan’s cause.
“Pakistan should’ve saved Junaid for the last over because he is the best bowler to bowl at the death,” Khan told The Express Tribune.
“He can reverse swing the ball, has good yorkers and can pace a slower ball as well. The team management should have conveyed the message to Misbah because in the field sometimes the captain doesn’t know what to do.
“On the other hand, Wahab doesn’t have a track record of bowling economical overs at the end. Dav Whatmore should’ve realised it in his game plan.”
The former coach also blasted the management for not playing Junaid in the first ODI and then dropping Asad Shafiq in the third match, stressing that the lineup should include players who are Pakistan’s future.
Mohsin stated the team had taken victory for granted in the last five overs, expressing his amusement at Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez not being called to bowl at a crucial stage.
‘Playing a makeshift wicket-keeper a mistake’
The 58-year-old stressed that asking Umar Akmal to keep wickets – a non-regular wicket-keeper – was a mistake and said that Pakistan should have gone with a regular gloveman.
“The management and their policy is at fault because you don’t play non-regular wicket-keepers in Tests or ODIs.
“Umar isn’t to be blamed because he is doing what he has been asked to do. He missed an important catch and a run-out in the end which cost Pakistan the game.”
Khan, who represented Pakistan in 48 Tests and 75 ODIs, further elaborated that a strong message should be conveyed to Nasir Jamshed and Hafeez for throwing away their wickets cheaply.
“Jamshed is talented, but he needs to start learning to play for the team and not for himself. Similarly, Hafeez also needs to understand that he cannot throw away precious wickets,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.
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This is backseat driving or monday morning quarterbacking (take your pick) in the extreme. Down to the decision over which player bowls a particular over? Come on now.
Pakistan cricket team management needs to understand that Saeed Ajmal is a top class bowler, but not the ideal choice when the batsman has decided to use the long handle. In similar circumstances, Hussey banged him all over the park in T20 World Cup, and this time a tail ender like Narine took him for a ride. That 14 run over by Ajmal was when WI came back into game. This is no rocket science!
The players are playing like schoolboys against men. The raucous appeals from behind the wicket by the AkmaL brothers, sounds like as if they have been stung on the backside by a couple of bees. As for Wahab Riaz, the only time he impressed was in his first match when he took five wickets; otherwise, he is an erratic bowler without any class and technique. Pakistan cricket needs a personalty transplant. Salams
Yet again a 'POOR' show of captaincy by Misbah Ul Haq!! I hope & pray that this is his last series as ODI captain!! Afridi deserves the captaincy & he should get it! You people out there will select 'Thumbs Down' on my comment but stop; think about it...Afridi is the man who can perform in this role FAR, FAR better than any player in the team! Lets not forget people: Umar Akmal & Afridi come to bat when there are hardly 10 overs left in the innings and they scramble for runs try to put decent score... If they do then they are considered heros and if they don't then they are dropped... Imagine this ordeal.... Drop freaking Hafeez, Nasir, Asad from the team; when was last time they performed...
I as a viewer agree with mohsin khan. It seems Misbah dont now the plus and minuses of the bowlers. Wahab is a loose bowler. Such bowlers should not be given the bowling at critical moments.
Mohsin Pakistan needs you. The farangee at the helm is walking around like a chicken with its head cut off and collecting thousands. Misbah should now be promoted to captain the senior team. What an unmitigated disaster
Angry EX-COACH....