Pakistan greats critical after Galle defeat
A number of Pakistan greats have reacted with disappointment to the side's seven-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday, saying the deck did not warrant such a poor batting display.
A number of Pakistan greats have reacted with disappointment to the side's seven-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday, saying the deck did not warrant such a poor batting display.
Sri Lanka needed only 99 runs to win in the evening of day five, having bowled Pakistan out for 180, and reached the target with moments to spare before the rain arrived. Pakistan had not played a Test since January before this.
Former batsman and skipper Hanif Mohammad was outraged, saying: "There was nothing so dangerous in the pitch as to warrant such a listless batting display. Our batsmen tried to bat defensively while they should have just played professionally according to the situation.
"Sri Lanka deserved the victory but I think the Pakistani batsmen really need to go back to the drawing board and do some soul searching. They are playing test cricket not a club match."
Rameez Raja was equally annoyed, saying on TV in Pakistan: "They batted with such a negative mindset. It was hard to understand what their purpose was. They should have been more positive. Sri Lanka pushed for a win and they got it with their brave declaration."
Former opener Mohsin Kahn criticised the decision to have a long camp before the series but focus on fitness, rather than skills, given their long break from the game: "I don't know what purpose it served to have a month long training camp with so much emphasis on fitness. Than they had another short camp before going to Sri Lanka.
"Fitness is essential but so is natural talent and a need to understand the game and read the situation. And on Sunday our players just failed to do that. It is a rather upsetting way to lose the Test."
Former captain Javed Miandad was furious with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq's tactics and bowling changes: "There was never any desire to force a result and the captaincy and tactics should have been better.
"Our spinners were the best bet to get wickets and on a pitch where the slow bowlers dominated he should have used Saeed and Rehman in tandem."
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