KARACHI: One of Pakistan’s greatest cricket captains and a fine all-rounder of his time, Mushtaq Mohammad on Tuesday said lack of game assessment at crucial stage of matches and the basic intellect about how to respond to various challenges are the main causes of the national team’s inconsistency and poor performance.

“This one (Pakistan squad in New Zealand) does not look like a world class team. Yes they won the 2017 Champions Trophy but, perhaps, it was sheer luck,” he told Dawn in an interview “We are all proud of their victory in the Champions Trophy but what is happening now in New Zealand is forcing everyone to think that it was a fluke of some sort.”

“People may not like my statement but that I believe is the reality of Pakistan cricket,” stated Mushtaq, who is here on a vacation from Birmingham (England) where he is settled for a few decades now.

He said Pakistan players failed to enhance their skills and polish their talent to become world class product in the recent years. “They certainly have the talent and that is why they are playing international cricket. But they need to demonstrate their talent and skills on the field otherwise it is no good,” asserted the 75-year-old Mushtaq.

“Our top players as well as new comers must learn how to respond to challenges which would make them great,” he maintained and added that they must learn how to cope with the situations which is key to becoming a great cricketer.

He expressed his disappointment at the poor performance of seniors like Shoaib Malik, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and even Babar Azam who it seems only excelled on flat tracks in the United Arab Emirates.

“Mindset is a vary important factor,” Mushtaq said. “Our players must learn to play according to the situation. Aggression does attract the crowd but does not win you matches every time. The players must have focused thinking at vital stages of the matches to see their team through.”

“The honest truth is we lack reliable players. Look at India who have quite a few world class players in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni on whom their team can depend upon. In the New Zealand side, too, there is skipper Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill, how dependable and important they are despite encountering pressure situations day in and day out,” observed Mushtaq who played 57 Tests and ten ODIs for Pakistan between 1959 and 1979.

Mushtaq said after the departure of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, the youngsters had failed to fill the gap because they had not been consistent despite being given ample opportunities. “To be fair to the selectors, they have tried quite a few players and given them ample games, but they are not improving with time, rather going down.”

Former Pakistan captain was of the opinion that all the subcontinent teams today including Pakistan are master of their own conditions but always struggle on tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. “During the 1990s, we had solid batting and bowling and the Pakistan team was a world class unit with Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed in the side. Such players are nowhere to be seen today.”

He advised Captain Sarfraz Ahmed to exercise calm behind the stumps and not put himself, the fielders and bowlers under pressure with his talkative, frenzied approach. “He can discuss things in breaks and review strategy, but his current approach towards things is not helping the cause of the team,” said Mushtaq.

He expressed his surprise over Mohammad Aamir’s inability to swing the ball in New Zealand. “He (Aamir) just did not make use of the seam and swing,” he pointed out. “There is no way he can get the batsmen out with his pace alone.

“As for the emerging fast bowler Hasan Ali, he also failed to prove himself as match winner and needs lot of grooming to excel in all conditions.

“But I am impressed with young guns like opener Fakhar Zaman, all-rounders Shadab Khan and Fahim Ashraf because I feel that they put in an effort everty time and are quick to learn the tricks of the trade.”

Commenting on the prospects of Pakistan team in the 2019 World Cup, which will be played in England, Mushtaq said that they have a good track record in England and could do well. “Our players have always found the England conditions to be a comfort zone because a number of our players feature in county and league cricket there. So they may come up with a good show in the World Cup next year.”

When asked if he could play any coaching role in Pakistan cricket, Mushtaq said: “I am not that young anymore for the job. But I do wish the team all the luck for its future assignments.”

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018