LAHORE: Former national team skipper Salim Malik expressed his concern over Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ongoing Asia Cup, while identifying the balance of the playing XI is not good and urged Sarfraz Ahmed to lead from the front.

“Right now Pakistan are relying on just two batsmen — Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik — as there is no solid batsman to speak of in the middle order where traditionally Pakistan have had very good players in the past to lift the side in a crisis situation,” Salim, who was one of country’s most successful captains, commented.

Salim was critical of Sarfraz’s captaincy and said he should lead from the front instead of losing patient.

“These are pressure times for Sarfraz and I know how difficult it is for a captain under such circumstances to keep himself composed. I’ll also advise him not to bat at No.4 because primarily he is someone with an aggressive mindset,” Salim said.

He further said Sarfraz shouldn’t have got himself out in the 39th over in Sunday’s clash against India and could have played big shots easily in the ensuing Powerplay.

Salim leapt to the defence of Mohammad Amir, who has now gone five matches without taking a wicket, and maintained the left-arm paceman was not helped by docile pitches in the UAE.

Looking ahead to the must-win Super Four fixture in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Salim said Pakistan are a better side than Bangladesh.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2018