NOTTINGHAM: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram on Friday lashed out at Pakistan’s spineless batting display against the West Indies at Trent Bridge in their opening World Cup match and said playing on flat wickets for years in the UAE has not served any purpose.

Talking to a private TV channel after the team’s defeat, Wasim said: “Pakistan batting was very poor today. We have been playing on flat wickets of Sharjah and Dubai for years and that is why we struggle when we get short balls on wickets like this. Today the batting shortcomings were totally exposed. Everyone has seen the match and people now know exactly where to bowl to Pakistani batsmen.

“After losing two initial wickets, players had to stay on the wicket but they couldn’t. They must learn how to stay on the wicket and see off the ball. In such conditions, you have to survive the initial overs,” the former captain highlighted.

Wasim insisted Pakistan would really have to work hard to make a comeback, adding that the team must bounce back in the tournament. Replying to a question, he said that he was happy to see Amir taking wickets and his return to form was a good sign for the team.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2019