ISLAMABAD - Former skipper Zaheer Abbas said our top order batsmen need to understand their responsibility and should not play under pressure against West Indies.
Our top order batsmen Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad and M Hafeez scored 54, 19 and 20 runs respectively in the second ODI against West Indies while could hardly score 6, 5 and 1 runs respectively in the first ODI. Pakistan beat West Indies by 126 runs in the 1st ODI while got beaten in the 2nd ODI by 37 runs.
Talking to APP, Asian Bradman Zaheer said: “Our top order batsmen are unable to judge the West Indies bowlers’ line and length. If Pakistan plays with the same consistency of the 1st ODI than a triumph against West Indies won’t be difficult,” he said adding that the pitch the curators made in the first ODI was an excellent one.
Zaheer was happy for all-rounder Shahid Afridi for regaining his quality performance against West Indies in the first ODI, but suggested captain Misbahul Haq to improve his striking rate.
Afridi was the declared Man-of-the-Match in the 1st ODI for his superb innings of 76 runs on just 55 balls smashing six fours and five sixes. Afridi also bagged seven wickets in 9 overs for 12 only runs. He took 2 wickets in the 2nd ODI. However, Misbah scored 52 runs on 121 balls in the first ODI while scored 17 runs on 42 balls in the 2nd ODI.
Zaheer was full of praise for Afridi, but said Misbah should improve his strike rate also. “No doubt Misbah played well but he needs to improve his strike rate a bit more,” he said. Pakistan will play three ODI’s and two Twenty-20’s more against the West Indies. The 3nd ODI will be played on July 19 (today).