'Our batsmen play Tests like ODIs and ODIs like Tests'

Published June 11, 2013
“We have to change the attitude of our batsmen and for that we need to have a good and able batting coach," Zaheer Abbas said. -Photo by Reuters
“We have to change the attitude of our batsmen and for that we need to have a good and able batting coach," Zaheer Abbas said. -Photo by Reuters

KARACHI: Former cricketers and fans Tuesday lamented Pakistan's woeful batting performance in their Champions Trophy defeat to South Africa which left them on the point of crashing out of the tournament.

Pakistan were bowled out for 167 in their crucial clash at Birmingham's Edgbaston ground, chasing a modest 234 against a weakened South African bowling attack missing the injured Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Only captain Misbah-ul Haq (55) and Nasir Jamshed (42) crossed double figures, while top order batsmen Imran Farhat (four runs in two matches), Mohammad Hafeez (11), Shoaib Malik (nought and eight) and Kamran Akmal (two and nought) flopped miserably.

Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-final now hang by a thread. They must beat arch-rivals India in their last group game on Saturday and hope other results go their way.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas told AFP the side's failings with the bat were all too familiar and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to come up with a proper strategy to address the problem.

He said the batsmen looked nervous both against South Africa and in the first game against the West Indies, when they were skittled out for 170 inside their 50 overs.

“I don't know why our batsmen were in awe of the West Indian and South African bowlers, why fear set in is unfathomable,” said Abbas, once dubbed the “Asian Bradman” for his prowess at the crease.

“Our batsmen play Tests like one-day and one-day like Tests,” said Abbas.

“We have to change the attitude of our batsmen and for that we need to have a good and able batting coach. Batsmen get out but they should be taught to fight.”

Former spinner Tauseef Ahmed said the batsmen lacked guts.

“We are now used to of defeats, used to batting failures because this has been going on for quite some time now,” said Ahmed. “Batsmen not performing at international level is disappointing.”Fans on the street were left shattered.

“Our batsmen let us down, but this has been going on,” said Saqib Murad, a student in Karachi. “We must do something otherwise people will lose interest in the game.”

Opinion

Budgeting without people

Budgeting without people

Even though the economy is a critical issue, discussions about it involve a select few who are not really interested in communicating with the people.

Editorial

Iranian tragedy
Updated 21 May, 2024

Iranian tragedy

Due to Iran’s regional and geopolitical influence, the world will be watching the power transition carefully.
Circular debt woes
21 May, 2024

Circular debt woes

THE alleged corruption and ineptitude of the country’s power bureaucracy is proving very costly. New official data...
Reproductive health
21 May, 2024

Reproductive health

IT is naïve to imagine that reproductive healthcare counts in Pakistan, where women from low-income groups and ...
Wheat price crash
Updated 20 May, 2024

Wheat price crash

What the government has done to Punjab’s smallholder wheat growers by staying out of the market amid crashing prices is deplorable.
Afghan corruption
20 May, 2024

Afghan corruption

AMONGST the reasons that the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul in August 2021 without any resistance to speak of ...
Volleyball triumph
20 May, 2024

Volleyball triumph

IN the last week, while Pakistan’s cricket team savoured a come-from-behind T20 series victory against Ireland,...