Pakistan’s batting continues to falter
Coach says cricket going through difficult times with poor batting coming on top of suspensions of key bowlers.
ABU DHABI:
Pakistan went down yet again due to a miserable batting performance as South Africa drew first blood in the One-Day International (ODI) series. A professional display by the Proteas gave them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series as Pakistan batsmen continued to struggle at the Abu Dhabi Stadium, much to the disappointment of a 10,000 holiday crowd.
Paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe took four wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten fifty to help South Africa win by eight wickets as coach Waqar Younis admitted it was a difficult time for Pakistan cricket. Tsotsobe took a career-best 4-27 to trigger a middle-order collapse and helped South Africa dismiss Pakistan for 203 before Kallis (66 retired hurt) saw off the target with 9.3 overs to spare.
“I must say that Pakistan cricket is going through a serious tough time,” said Younis after his team’s defeat.
The loss comes after two back-to-back Twenty20 defeats and with Pakistan missing the suspended trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. Younis said it was difficult do well in the absence of the key players. The three players were provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over spot-fixing allegations on the England tour and are currently in Dubai to attend a hearing against the ICC’s decision.
“We lost a few players after the England tour and it has been a little tough at the moment and I think that is one big reason that we are struggling,” said Younis, who took over as coach in March this year.
“I sincerely hope that the players are cleared and are available to play for Pakistan because they are key players.”
Another regular member missing from the lineup is Pakistan’s wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who was not selected for the UAE series after he underwent an appendicitis operation earlier this month.
“I am concerned. As I said losing four players from your top eleven is never easy,” added Younis. “Of course it’s not an ideal situation with the World Cup just four months away.”
However, with the batsmen not pulling their weight in the series so far - Pakistan made 119 and 120 in the two Twenty20s and managed 203 in the first ODI - Younis urged his batsmen to improve their performances.
“South Africa will get tougher and tougher and if we don’t put up good totals on the board it will become difficult for us to beat them,” said the coach and a former captain as well.
Pakistan, who are still looking for their first win in the series, play the second ODI today.
Smith, Kallis doubtful for second ODI
South African captain Graeme Smith is undergoing treatment after injuring his left hand, but escaped without a fracture, said an official.
The 29-year-old left-handed batsman was hit several times by Pakistani fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar during the first ODI which South Africa comfortably won.
“Smith’s X-ray scans show that there are no new fractures to his left hand, only soft tissue swelling and boney contusion. The team physiotherapist will reassess his injury in the next day or two,” said team manager Mohammed Moosajee.
Smith had to walk off the field after scoring 18 but South Africa successfully chased a modest 204-run target to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
All-rounder Jacques Kallis, who was carried off the field because of severe cramping will also be monitored closely in the next 24 hours, said the manager.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis
“We lost a few players after the England tour and it has been a little tough at the moment and I think that is one big reason that we are struggling.”
Former captain Asif Iqbal
“Definitely the batting is letting the bowlers down. The batting is just not good enough and they are not putting up enough runs for the bowlers to defend.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2010.
Pakistan went down yet again due to a miserable batting performance as South Africa drew first blood in the One-Day International (ODI) series. A professional display by the Proteas gave them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series as Pakistan batsmen continued to struggle at the Abu Dhabi Stadium, much to the disappointment of a 10,000 holiday crowd.
Paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe took four wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten fifty to help South Africa win by eight wickets as coach Waqar Younis admitted it was a difficult time for Pakistan cricket. Tsotsobe took a career-best 4-27 to trigger a middle-order collapse and helped South Africa dismiss Pakistan for 203 before Kallis (66 retired hurt) saw off the target with 9.3 overs to spare.
“I must say that Pakistan cricket is going through a serious tough time,” said Younis after his team’s defeat.
The loss comes after two back-to-back Twenty20 defeats and with Pakistan missing the suspended trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. Younis said it was difficult do well in the absence of the key players. The three players were provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over spot-fixing allegations on the England tour and are currently in Dubai to attend a hearing against the ICC’s decision.
“We lost a few players after the England tour and it has been a little tough at the moment and I think that is one big reason that we are struggling,” said Younis, who took over as coach in March this year.
“I sincerely hope that the players are cleared and are available to play for Pakistan because they are key players.”
Another regular member missing from the lineup is Pakistan’s wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who was not selected for the UAE series after he underwent an appendicitis operation earlier this month.
“I am concerned. As I said losing four players from your top eleven is never easy,” added Younis. “Of course it’s not an ideal situation with the World Cup just four months away.”
However, with the batsmen not pulling their weight in the series so far - Pakistan made 119 and 120 in the two Twenty20s and managed 203 in the first ODI - Younis urged his batsmen to improve their performances.
“South Africa will get tougher and tougher and if we don’t put up good totals on the board it will become difficult for us to beat them,” said the coach and a former captain as well.
Pakistan, who are still looking for their first win in the series, play the second ODI today.
Smith, Kallis doubtful for second ODI
South African captain Graeme Smith is undergoing treatment after injuring his left hand, but escaped without a fracture, said an official.
The 29-year-old left-handed batsman was hit several times by Pakistani fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar during the first ODI which South Africa comfortably won.
“Smith’s X-ray scans show that there are no new fractures to his left hand, only soft tissue swelling and boney contusion. The team physiotherapist will reassess his injury in the next day or two,” said team manager Mohammed Moosajee.
Smith had to walk off the field after scoring 18 but South Africa successfully chased a modest 204-run target to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
All-rounder Jacques Kallis, who was carried off the field because of severe cramping will also be monitored closely in the next 24 hours, said the manager.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis
“We lost a few players after the England tour and it has been a little tough at the moment and I think that is one big reason that we are struggling.”
Former captain Asif Iqbal
“Definitely the batting is letting the bowlers down. The batting is just not good enough and they are not putting up enough runs for the bowlers to defend.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2010.