The middle-order of Pakistan failed to win during the opening Twenty20 International against England at National Stadium Karachi on Tuesday The players of the national team were again under attack. Former Pakistan Test player Younis Ahmed, too, expressed his displeasure over the situation.
The 74-year-old has said that Pakistan is in need of a good mid-order batter, who can swing the game to the side’s advantage within a couple of overs.
“The middle order’s problems were revealed in the match played yesterday against England following an excellent opening lead, we expected Pakistan to score a total of 170 +, however the middle order was unable to provide a satisfying end to the innings” Younis said while talking to reporters here on Wednesday.
“It is a good thing to know that England is coming to Pakistan after a time gap, 17 years, and we look forward to a match. However, the way that the English team played in the first game without three of their top players from the playing XI was an excellent example and a message of sorts to players in the Pakistan team to ensure that they have all bases covered for the remaining six games,” he said.
Pakistan started off with an excellent beginning in the opener to the series but the wheels fell off after the middle-order was unable to capitalize. The target of 158 was swiftly defeated by England. It was similar to the team’s struggles during their Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in the month of March despite having brought in Haider Ali as well as Shan Masood to beef up the weak link.
Younis – whom he made his ODI debut against India in 1987 told the media that he dreamed that Pakistan could annex their share of the Asia Cup title when they defeated their arch-rivals India at the Super Four Stage but was devastated after Sri Lanka blew away the national team.
“That was a relic from the past,” said Younis, “Now the focus is on the remaining games in the series at home against England and the World Cup to be held in the coming month , in Australia.”
Younis also called on the PCB to alter the starting XI in order to achieve results at the coming T20 World Cup in Australia.
“Other teams had a large quantity of batters in the middle order that could change the game’s situation in three or four turns and this is crucial in the most compact form of the game.” He said.
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Younis was barred from the Pakistan Cricket Board in 1973 due to his visit of South Africa to play for DH Robins XI. In 1973, South Africa was a exclusion zone due to its apartheid-related policies.
Although the ban was lifted after 1979 Younis was unable to make his comeback for his national squad until the year 1987, when He was invited to tour India under Imran Khan’s leadership.
Younis who played at least four test matches in Pakistan and suggested to PCB to organize regularly scheduled international trips for junior and A teams, which previously had done many well-rounded cricketers for the national team.
He added that the PCB was also unable to scheduling regular international trips for its Junior and A teams. These teams have previously brought many well-trained cricketers to the national team.
Younis added that departmental cricket should be revived as it been a blessing to Pakistan cricket quite well in the past.
“The cricketers not only made money from departmental cricket, but they were also trained under an atmosphere that was more professional,” he said.
