Karachi: Pakistan’s campaign at the World Twenty20 Cup 2012 in Sri Lanka was clogged by the host team on Thursday. Pakistan’s batting took a rapid nosedive so was the hope of millions watching back home. While the devotees putting all kinds of labels on the big names in the team, a former captain, Rashid Latif minced no word in condemning the mindset of the men in green. According to Latif the Pakistan team was not playing as a unit, which gave him the impression that everyone was playing for himself rather than for the team. “It was between Pakistan’s individuals versus a team, and it tells the whole story” maintained Rashid Latif, while talking to this correspondent.Â
Latif also questioned the wisdom behind leaving All-rounder Abdul Razzaq out of the team for the all important Semi-final. “With the performance under the belt and the experience, Abdul Razzaq’s inclusion in the playing XI was unquestionable, it was a blunder on the part of the team management”, added Latif.
In the first semi-final of the World T20 cup, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 16 runs. Pakistan had to chase down 140, however, the batting flopped and Pakistan lost the game.
On the other hand, talking to this correspondent from Dubai, former fast bowler Aqib Javed questioned that if Razzaq’s bowling had not been trustworthy then why is he (Razzaq) called an All-rounder? “As a batsman, if Razzaq has not been able to find a place in the top six, then he has no place in the team”, concludes Aqib Javed.
Aqib, a former fast bowler, further said that induction of too many batsmen created confusion, adding that when many batsmen are played then delegation of the responsibility becomes a bit difficult. “Pakistan missed a quality batsman who could anchor and finish the innings on a difficult track. Asad Shafiq was a good option but his, all of a sudden, induction in the semi-final wouldn’t be a wise move either”, said Aqib Javed, the former bowling coach of Pakistan.
“Planning for an adequate combination should have been done well before time. In the past, two or three good batsmen used to share the responsibly of taking the side home however, presently there is quantity without quality”, added Aqib Javed.
Aqib Javed, who has played 22 Tests and 163 ODIs for Pakistan between 1988 and 1998, has recently signed a 3-year contract with United Arab Emirates as the head coach of their Cricket team.
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