Thursday 31 October 2013

Afridi responsible for one-run defeat against SA: Sohail




Stunned by Pakistan’s dramatic defeat to South Africa in the first ODI in Sharjah, former captain Aamir Sohail launched a scathing attack on ‘experienced’ all-rounder Shahid Afridi, whose irresponsible shot, according to Sohail, gifted the match to the Proteas.
South Africa snatched a one-run victory in the opener of the one-day series following an embarrassing collapse by Pakistan on Wednesday.
“All our batsmen failed to deliver but it was Afridi who had an easy opportunity to win the game for Pakistan,” Sohail said in an interview with. Sohail said he failed to see the logic behind Afridi’s shot selection considering he had played so much international cricket.
“We needed 7 to 8 runs on more than 40 balls when Afridi went for the big hit and gave it in the hands of David Miller. Afridi should have realised what his responsibility was.”
Former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz also held Afridi, a veteran of 363 ODIs, responsible for Pakistan’s defeat, adding that the all-rounder needed to be ‘rested’ now.
“It seems that only Misbah-ul-Haq is in form and the rest of the batsmen are there for nothing,” .
Former Test player and coach, Mohsin Khan advised the players to get over the shock defeat and try to win the series.

"It was plain irresponsible batting and it appeared as if there was no one in the dressing room advising the incoming batsmen what to do," he said.

Mohsin said Pakistan was still a stronger side in the one-day format than South Africa and could win the series if the players showed more mental strength and played the remaining four matches with a killer instinct.


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