ISLAMABAD: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz lambasted the Pakistan team and management for yielding embarrassing results against Australia in recent Test and ODI series.
The 68-year old described the highly poor performance of the Test and one day teams as ‘alarming,’ saying back-to-back defeats raised several questions over the team management and there is a need of proper surgery.
“Poor fielding and running between the wickets are main reasons behind the defeats, while performance of coach, selection committee and players are also highly questionable,” he said on Sunday.
Pakistan were blanked 3-0 in Tests, while they have to face 4-1 defeat in the ODI series.
“During first four one-dayers, Azhar depended on three fast bowlers, and in the last one he came up with four fast bowlers only to face a mountain 370-run target,” he said.
Talking about Misbah-ul-Haq’s performance, Sarfraz said: “Misbah badly failed as a player and captain. He made only 76 runs in three Tests. What can I say on these scores? This performance is a matter of concern, he [Misbah] should have announced his resignation before the start of third Test, but still he is sticking.”
He said that a cricketer like Misbah, who contributed a lot in the past, will have to request for a farewell Test. “I don’t know why he didn’t quit before the Sydney Test, the 43-year-old should have resigned honourably,” he said.
To a query, he said that the performance of former South African coach Mickey Arthur is highly questionable.
“What results has [the coach] produced during New Zealand and Australia tours?” he asked and added that for better results, the team management will have to go for a domestic coach who could properly guide players in native language and could easily identify the talent in domestic circuit.
“I fail to understand why the team management opted for foreign coach since we have several greats of Pakistan cricket. Why are their expertise not utilized?” he questioned.
Sarfraz said that it is high time for the government to look into the matter for bringing improvement in cricket since as a nation we could not afford such shameful defeats in future.
“There is a need for changes at the PCB, team and management levels. Otherwise, I’m not expecting good results in the days to come,” he feared.