ISLAMABAD - Former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz on  Sunday called for an operation clean-up of the national team and their coaching staff after Pakistan's poor show in the ODI series against South Africa.
Talking to APP, Sarfraz urged caretaker chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi to kick out the under-performing players from the national squad as they were responsible for Pakistan's disastrous show in the series.
"The whole coaching staff, who are foreigners, should also be sacked and instead Pakistani coaches be hired, who are better for the job," he added. Sarfraz said the Pakistani batsmen would never learn, how hard they were trained. "In an era when cricket has become so fast, especially after the advent of Twenty20 format where a target of 300 runs is set or easily achieved, the Pakistani batsmen seem to play with the old fashioned defensive mindset," he added. Praising Sohaib Maqsood for his brilliant knock in the last ODI, he said he should have been given a chance in the earlier matches as well.
Former chief selector Mohsin Khan deplored that right players were not included in the team. "Wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed should have been given a chance to play ODIs while Umar Akmal should have played as a batsman," he said.  Mohsin also praised Sohaib for his tremendous batting in the 4th ODI scoring 56 runs on 54 balls.
Former Test batsman Basit Ali held the batsmen responsible for losing the ODI series. "Over the years our batsmen have let the team down on many occasions. Whatever we have achieved against South Africa or other leading teams, has only been due to our top-class bowling attack."
Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar was unhappy with team management for not being persistent with players. He felt some of the talented players were even being wasted. Players like Ahmad Shehzad and Umar Amin should be given a chance to play for longer time, he added. He urged the selectors to preserve the energies of M Irfan by giving him with ample rest and use him only when actually needed.