PAK vs SL | It was an almost one-sided series, rues Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah ul Haq has stated that it was a completely one-sided series while admitting that Pakistan cricket are in complete shambles at the moment. The former skipper has also added that the series was an eye-opener for the side and the team will learn from the debacle that caused by the whitewash.
The worst nightmare of the Pakistani supporters has come true as their national team failed to salvage any pride in the T20 series as the underdogs, a second-string Sri Lankan team, clean-swept the series 3-0. This bitter loss has made the fact clear that there is something seriously wrong in the cricket system of the country.
It hasn’t been long since the former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq assumed the dual responsibility of chief selector and head coach of Pakistan Cricket Team but the amount of criticism he has attracted is overwhelming. The head coach also cited the lack of talent at the domestic level after the 13-run loss in the last T20 game of the series.
“This series has been an eye-opener for us and everyone else. These same players have been around for a while now. More or less the same team which made us number one and has been playing together for around three to four years now,” Misbah said in the press conference, as reported by TOI.
“The result of the series is also an eye-opener for our system as well. If we can lose to a side without its main players how did we think we were number one.”
The Sri Lanka team which achieved this admirable feat was without the big names but still managed to outplay the number one T20 team in the World in every department of the game and that too quite comprehensively and Misbah seem to acknowledge the fact.
“We were poor and not even at par in all three departments against them. Sri Lanka outclassed us in every department, it was an almost one-sided series,” he said.
The young leg spinner Shadab Khan has been quite a revelation for the Pakistan team for a year and two now. He has single-handedly shouldered Pakistan’s middle order bowling for quite some time now but his failure in this series cost Pakistan dear. When questioned about the poor form of the leggie, Misbah highlighted the lack of options in the department.
“But tell me another wrist spinner who we can select to replace Shadab. Name one deserving wrist-spinner on domestic circuit whom we did not select,” he protested.
It seemed like Misbah was toying around with the reporters given his sarcastic replies while taking questions from media in Lahore. But we cannot blame the coach given the stressful fortnight he has had.
“Yes, I take responsibility for the series defeat. It is very disappointing and we played poorly. But this is the same team which made us number one. Same players who have been playing for around three years. If you want to blame me, fine. I have been just 10 days on the job and yes about changes, I asked a right-hand batsman to start batting left-handed and told a left-handed bowler to start bowling right hand, right,” the 46-year-old said.
Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who hasn’t been in the best of his forms with the bat, was also under tremendous pressure following the disappointing performance of the team. As this pressure took toll, Sarfaraz was miserable with the gloves too, dropping catches and missing stumping chances. When a journalist asked the former captain about the poor performance of Sarfaraz, he snapped.
“Yes, only the wicketkeeper is not playing well, the rest of the ten players are doing so well,” he replied.
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments