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| September 13, 2006 | Wednesday | Sha'aban 19, 1427 |
Imran slams ODI showing in England
KARACHI, Sept 12: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said he was dejected at the national’s poor performance in the one-day series against England's ‘weakest’ outfit.
“This was the poorest performance by any Pakistan team and considering England was the weakest one-day outfit, I am disappointed at the one-day series result,” Imran said on Tuesday.
“I am amazed at the result, this same England team was thrashed 5-0 by Sri Lanka in one-dayers three months ago,” said Imran.
Imran led Pakistan to a 2-1 series loss in England in 1982, the last time Pakistan was defeated in a Test series in England. Five years later Imran led Pakistan to a series win in England. Pakistan also won 2-1 on the 1992 tour of England and 2-0 in 1996 before they drew 1-1 in 2001.
But the 53-year-old former all-rounder blamed the Test series loss to injury problems in Pakistan team.
“Pakistan lost the Tests because their main bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were injured, even England missed their captain Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff, but they did well,” he said.
He strongly criticized Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer for not helping Inzamam with a proper strategy.
“Woolmer muddled things and it's amazing that he has failed to find a suitable opening pair in two years,” said Imran, who said Pakistan need to solve this problem before next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.
“Pakistan is still the most dangerous team after Australia but they are losing one-day matches despite having the world-class talent.
“It all boils down to strategy and where Inzamam-ul Haq lacks, Woolmer fails to compensate,” he said. “I am as surprised as anyone in the public how Pakistan lost. I don't agree that players were tired due to a long tour, some of them were fresh and did not play in Tests.”
Imran disagreed that Inzamam should retire from Test cricket and concentrate on the one-day game.
“He still is the best man to lead as he is the best batsman around,” said Imran. “Inzamam needs to formulate things and needs to have better planning while playing international cricket and results will be better.”—AFP
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