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KARACHI: Lauding Pakistan team for whitewashing England in the recently concluded Test series, former Test cricketer and veteran chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu on Saturday underlined that maintaining the winning momentum against top opponents would be demanding.
“Misbah-ul-Haq and his charges combined magnificently to create history by recording Pakistan’s first-ever clean sweep against a formidable England side. And for achieving this feat the captain and the team no doubt deserve rich applause. However, sustaining this achievement will require much harder efforts by the Pakistan camp,” Sallu said while talking to Dawn.
“Pakistan, to maintain the memorable triumph against top-ranked England and to become the world’s best team, will have to beat other high-quality opponents like Australia and South Africa on their soil,” he added.
To accomplish this, he urged Pakistan to work on their weak areas. “Batting and fielding. These must be improved and this can only be done by giving them exclusive attention,” he stressed.
“If we look at the England series, Pakistan’s batting remained very brittle and was never out of trouble and it was our bowlers who on all occasions rescued the team, particularly in the third Test where we were shot out for 99 in the first innings. Even against Bangladesh [late last year], our batting struggled at times.
“Fielding has been our grey area for decades. And unless our current players lift their fielding standards recording victories against major sides on consistent basis will be very tough.”
Commenting on Misbah’s role as the team leader, Sallu admired the 37-year-old captain’s fitness level. “Misbah is a fit man. And though he is a bit defensive in his approach, we should also take into account the resources he has plus the circumstances the team has gone through during the last one and a half years or so,” he said.
On whether it was Pakistan bowlers’ excellent performance or it was England batsmen’s poor show that resulted in Andrew Strauss side’s 0-3 drubbing, Sallu was categorical in giving Pakistan bowlers the due credit.
“Pakistan’s [spin] bowlers just outclassed the English batsmen who are suspect against quality wrist spinners,” he stated, singling out master off-spinner Saaed Ajmal as the standout player of the Test series.
The ex-chief selector also heaped praised on young batsmen Azhar Ali (highest scorer in the England series) and Asad Shafiq whose willow work was instrumental in the England series victory. “Both are highly talented players with good future. As both have performed consistently, they should now be given more chances to excel further.
“Azhar, sometimes, takes too much time to settle, he should overcome this as quickly as possible to meet the rigorous demands of international cricket,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, commenting on Pakistan’s recent upsurge, former Test captain Moin Khan advised the national team to capitalise on the brilliant Test series whitewash against England while remaining on guard.
“Pakistan should now use the [England] Test series win as an inspiration for the coming contests. This is the time to take advantage from this win and utilise the same impetus for the future assignments. New, bigger targets should be set,” Moin, who played 69 Tests as wicket-keeper/batsman, remarked.
“The team must not relax after the [Test] success against England,” he cautioned. “They should start the one-day series with a renewed spirit.”
He added that Sri Lanka in their backyard would pose a tougher challenge to Pakistan than what they faced against England in the UAE.
While commending Adnan Akmal’s smart glovework and batting in the game’s longer version, Moin reckoned promising Sarfraz Ahmed should be given chances in limited-overs competitions.
