Misbah throws his hands up,says doesn8217;t know what is wrong

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq did not mince words to criticise his misfiring batsmen as Pakistan suffered their second successive defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa,which has severely dented their chances of making the semifinals.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq did not mince words to criticise his misfiring batsmen as Pakistan suffered their second successive defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa,which has severely dented their chances of making the semifinals. Pakistan went down to South Africa by 67 runs in Birmingham on Monday. They now face arch-rivals India in the must-win game on Saturday.

I dont know what is wrong but the batsmen are not justifying their places in the team and it is hard on the bowlers who have done a good job so far, Misbah said. I was not expecting this sort of performance because the batsmen had done well in the warm-up games in the run up to the tournament but they have just not clicked. Not being able to score even 200 in both matches is terribly disappointing.

The 39-year-old captain said that despite their minuscule chances of qualifying for the semifinals,Pakistan would remain focused for their June 15 game against India.

Against India,I know we have the capability to win the match and I am sure the batsmen will also want to make amends for what has happened so far in the event. Misbah said he was encouraged by the form of his bowlers,who had restricted two strong teams from opening up.

overhaul system

Karachi: Shoaib Akhtar minced no words in stating that the country8217;s cricket structure needed a complete overhaul. 8220;We shouldn8217;t be surprised by these results because we neither have quality batsmen nor bowlers and the reason for this is,we are not producing quality talents because of an inapt and mismanaged cricket structure,8221; he said.

8220;Our cricket system is about compromises. Be it selection or other matters. The best don8217;t get chance properly. What was the logic in dropping experienced players like Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq for such an important event,8221; he asked.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also called for changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB. 8220;Someone has to be answerable for this debacle. I would like to see those faces changed who have been around in Pakistan cricket and board for years now and done nothing. The board must bear the responsibility for this debacle,8221; he said.

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Akram said that the Pakistani batsmen had laid to waste the good work of the bowlers by playing senseless and defensive cricket,which was hard to comprehend.

brief scores: South Africa 234/9 in 50 overs H Amla 81,AB de Villiers 31; M Irfan 1/27 vs Pakistan 167 all out in 45 overs Misbah-ul-Haq 55,N Jamshed 42; R McLaren 4/19,L Tsotsobe 2/23