PERTH: Pakistan have been far from impressive in this World Cup and the Misbah-ul-Haq-led side have had to face some scathing criticism for the same.

Former Test fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been one of the team’s strongest critics slamming the system. Ex-Pakistan Test all-rounder, Mudas­sar Nazar, however reckons that though the Pakistan are under-performing, things are not as bad as Shoaib thinks, reports Mid-day website.

“I think Shoaib is merely exaggerating the problems in Pakistan cricket. Yes, they not played well [in this World Cup] and there are issues but the way he is going out there and saying things about the captain and players is not right,” Mudassar told reporters at the WACA ground.

“Shoaib may say whatever he wants but this team have done well in Test cricket. In ODIs, when your No.1 off-spinner [Saeed Ajmal] is banned six months ahead of the World Cup, your senior-most batsman and off-spinner [Mohammed Hafeez] is not there and your most successful left-arm pacer [Junaid Khan] is absent, it is bound to hurt. I’m disappointed too as I’m a product of the same system. I also cannot digest these performances,” Mudassar added.

The 58-year-old further said that indulgence in PCB-bashing has become a trend.

“There is a system problem in Pakistan cricket, but not as grave as what Shoaib is making it out to be. PCB-bashing has become very fashionable in Pakistan. While some are genuinely concerned about Pakistan cricket, there are many others, who are simply looking for job offers,” Mudassar stated.

Published in Dawn March 1st , 2015

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