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Aaqib blasts Pakistan pacers’ lack of killer instinct against SA
LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test paceman Aaqib Javed on Thursday blasted the national teams’ performance against South Africa in the recently-concluded Test series, calling it a result of lack of preparations and a lack of killer instinct in the bowling attack.
Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 by South Africa and Aaqib asked questions from the national selection committee and the team management for the poor show.
“When, in the past, we were preparing for an away series against South Africa, England or Australia, we used to practice with wet balls on cemented pitches,” Aqib recalled while speaking to reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“This time, though, we went to South Africa after playing a series against New Zealand on the slow pitches in the UAE.
“Furthermore, no one knows what was the criteria to select Mohammad Amir as his speeds were same, around 135-140kph, due to which he was being rested, Where did they test whether his bowling speeds were up again?” Aaqib questioned.
“There is no pace bowler in the team at the moment who can create panic among the opposition’s line-up while our batsmen were also below-par. “We actually sent a limited-overs team to South Africa.”
He however hoped Pakistan would rebound in the five-match One-day International series against the Proteas starting Saturday.
“We have good limited-overs players,” Aaqib said. “But we still need to take serious steps if we are to field a strong team at the World Cup later this year.”
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2019
Comments (10) Closed
Biggest question remains around the pre tour preparations, doesn’t seem there was much thought about the tour and conditions. Furthermore, the same muddled thinking continued when selecting the squad and final playing XI...
Aaqib or a local coach maybe a good shout for Tests only coaching, as Arthur has done well in rejuvenating the limited over teams.
Aqib would be better off demonstrating how will he improve the performance of Lahore Qalanders before commenting on the flaws of the Pakistan team. No concrete suggestion for improvement in his statement.
Take my words. Sarfarz and Aamir both are non performers, you can not perform, we have seen in UAE, you only shouting in grounds but your / Aamir both are not performing and will suffering lost in South Africa with white wash.Your captaincy are weak, you have no management to run 11 players, you have under influence of Inazamam Haq, who are taking Rs.12 Lacs +medical+5 star hotel and + daily allowance, you are working as a puppet of Inzi, he only interested in his Imamul Haq nephew, you are saying we are one page, sorry a talent player like Fawad Alam, Hasan Khan are ignored, Inzi have Tousif/Wasti/Hyder these yes Men, as his selection members, this biased selection committee are to be terminate and new to be constituted. Sarfarz you if you will not speak independently that not give justice to young players than your time is over, you have to take strong decision for Fawad or you have to go home. Similarly Mickey Arther have to go, he is unable to train young players with friendly.
He is absolutely right about sending an ODI team to compete in tests. Fakhar, Shadab, Gaheem, Hasan; Afridi.Babar; are all t20/odi players and to expect them to even play out 5 days is expecting too much. Babar did well, but if you look at how he played, it was almost ODI innings instead of building and staying at the wicket. We pretty much need to build a separate team only for test. Shan, Shafiq, Haaris, Yasir, Abbas are the only ones I think of that can qualify. The rest are all hit and run players, though Baber can be groomed.
I know what you mean.
The batsmen lost the serious not the bowlers. How can bowlers create pressure when the batsman cant reach a target of 200!!!
@Shabbir Subrati , amir is the biggest liability in the whole team.
@Shabbir Subrati How Amir can help when batsman scores each 170 in first innings? Look before batsman performance before commenting further.Selecting Yasir Shah in South Africa was total ridiculous.
Or lack of ball tampering skills?
Aaqib should tell how have previous teams done in South Africa and Australia and the answer is very poorly. Nothing has changed from the past so it is unfair to single out this team as being poor. Yes, this team is weaker than any previous team, but this team is also the most upright and uncorrupt. We need to correctly build a foundation and wait for good things to happen, it could take a few years and we should be patient. Don't over experiment, use merit in selection and results will follow. Sarfaraz has done a decent job, but a captain is as good as his team players. Criticism of his captaincy is unjust. His batting isn't up to the mark but that's a separate discussion. None of the batsmen have performed, so to single Sarfaraz is also unfair.