KARACHI, Oct 1: Former Test cricketers on Monday blasted the Pakistan team for poor planning and negative approach which led to their humiliating eight-wicket loss to India in a crucial Super Eights game in the World Twenty20 in Colombo on Sunday.

Majority of the ex-players including former Test captains Aamir Sohail, Rashid Latif and Abdul Qadir, Sikander Bakht and Basit Ali criticised Hafeez and company for their decision to bat first after winning the toss.

“It was strange to see Hafeez winning the toss and electing to bat first on a difficult pitch against India,” said former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail.

“We should have learnt from the South Africa game earlier yesterday against Australia where the Proteas struggled while batting first on the track.”

“Then sending Shahid Afridi early on was another big mistake. When Nasir Jamshed is doing well at No 3, sending Afridi at one down position made little sense,” said Aamir.

Rashid Latif also cited some blunders by Pakistan as the reason for defeat at the hands of India. “If you make such mistakes in a key game like India’s, it will cost you dearly as they did on Sunday,” said Rashid.

“Pakistan team was lacking badly in motivation and patriotic approach  and their body language was not at all positive which is surprising,” legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said.

“You cannot afford too many blunders in a match against India,” he said.

“Everyone knows India-Pakistan matches are played in pressure situations. Our players are well aware of such conditions but they played like novices on Sunday,” Qadir lamented.

He also questioned the exclusion of senior all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and said the persistence with Yasir Arafat in the playing eleven made no sense at all.

Former batsman Basit Ali said sending an out-of-form Shahid Afridi at No 3 was beyond any logic and his early dismissal put the team under unnecessary pressure.

Former Test paceman Sikander Bakht said: “The manner of Pakistan’s defeat really hurts and poor planning by the team management is mainly responsible.”—APP