August 10, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 14, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 9: “Reckless batting and poor fielding by Pakistan were the main causes of defeat at Headingley,” said chief selector Wasim Bari while commenting on the third Test defeat against England on Wednesday.

Bari, visibly perturbed by Pakistan’s dismal showing at Leeds, said the visitors lost control of the match after a non-sensical batting collapse in the first innings.

"At one stage Pakistan were strongly placed at 446-3 in the first innings but they lost four quick wickets and squandered the advantage.

“A lead of 125 to 150 then could have changed the complexion of the match," said Bari while speaking to Dawn.

"Adding to our batting woes were the four dropped catches by the Pakistani fielders at crucial stages," Bari lamented. While the former skipper agreed that Pakistani batsmen had the potential to play 90 overs on the fifth day, he conceded that they could not sustain the pressure of chasing 323 for victory.

Appreciating coach Bob Woolmer’s statement regarding players’ approach towards the Oval Test, Bari said: "Woolmer is right in suggesting that we should not drop six or seven players after the loss. Nor there is any reason to press panic buttons. It is better to work more on our game."

Commenting on the failure of Pakistani openers, Bari said that the best available players were given to the team management and now it was up to them to bring the best out of them.

"The team management is in a better position to assess what kind of combination should work the best. It is their job to formulate a strategy according to the demanding conditions in England," he said.

To a question, Bari said Mohammad Hafeez was being sent as the fourth choice opener and will prove a useful addition for the ODIs later this month.

"Hafeez is one of the best openers in the country and has performed well in Australia. He thoroughly deserves a place in the team," he said.

Not mincing any words, Bari warned all the openers in the side that enough chances had been given to them over the past few years and they had no right to complain should they lose their place in the squad.

“It is high time they shaped up.”

Bari, quizzed on medium-pacer Shahid Nazir’s glaring absence from the list of 30 probables named for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy on Tuesday, said the pacer was named only for the Test series in England and could not qualify in the initial squad of 30 players announced by him for the mega event in India.

He, however, admitted, that Shahid had bowled well in the third Test and moved the ball either way quite impressively.