Beleaguered Pakistan threatened by ODI whitewash

Riaz ruled out, likely to be replaced by Tanvir in dead rubber against Australia

DUBAI: Pakistan's World Cup preparations are anything but on track as they brace for the prospect of an ODI series whitewash at the hands of Australia ahead of the third and final match at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The men in green went down by five wickets in the second day-night ODI on Friday, handing Australia an unbeatable 2-0 lead. The defeat added further pressure on the embattled Pakistan captain as former greats demanded Misbahul Haq to be sacked.

The skipper has struggled with the bat recently and after a barren run in Sri Lanka, the unfortunate run out in the 34th over for 15 in Dubai on Friday summed up his ill-luck off late.

"The performance provides real worrying signs without a doubt,” said Misbah. “We’ve put up a poor show so far and we are struggling ahead of the World Cup. A lot of work is required now for the premier event.”

While speaking of the task at hand after the ODIs, he said, “You really want to improve your performance from game to game and the Test matches are just around the corner. We need to improve our batting, and if we are playing against a top side, then we need to put a good total on the board, otherwise you don't have any chance.”

Misbah was visibly sombre after the defeat and the 'Go Misbah Go' chants by a small section of the Dubai crowd immediately after the defeat must have worried him further.

However, asked if he was thinking of standing down, the captain said, "I have not thought about the captaincy. I will fight on."

He did feel though that there were positives to be taken despite the loss, especially the 126-run opening stand between Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"The openers were really gutsy and the spinners bowled well. Really disappointed with the batting collapse though, which is inexplicable after the start we got."

The injury list is also growing with each passing day, and ahead of the final ODI, Pakistan have ruled out injured fast-bowler Wahab Riaz, with Sohail Tanvir the likely replacement.

The bench strength of Sohaib Maqsood and Umar Amin are in consideration for the Abu Dhabi game, especially Maqsood, who Misbah feels was extremely unlucky to miss out the first two ODIs as Pakistan searched for 'balance' in the line-up after Muhammad Hafeez's webbing injury.

Aussies set sight on series whitewash

Fiery paceman Mitchell Johnson, who has bowled with venom and guile to take six wickets in the two games – 3-24 in the 93-run win in Sharjah and 3-40 in a five-wicket win in Dubai – says his team will go for another win in the final one-day.

"We want to win three nil and that is our goal now,” he said. “We have won the series and that is the way we are and we want to keep going and keep playing good cricket. We've got the World Cup coming next year and so we have to keep being at our best.”

 

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