
RAWALPINDI, OCT 6: Former Pakistan Sarfaraz Nawaz has said a conspiracy against captain Aamir Sohail may have led to the National side8217;s first home loss against Australia in 39 years.
Sarfaraz lambasted Pakistan8217;s bowling after the innings and 99-run defeat in the first Test yesterday and termed it a 8220;mischief8221; to destroy Sohail and the Pakistan team.
8220;It was an intrigue against Sohail. Wasim was not fit and that was why the new ball was delayed. He was not in the team in the Sahara Cup and we won there comfortably,8221; he said.
8220;Look at Saqlain, he has come out of successful county season but here he struggled to take two wickets in 40 overs. Mushtaq Ahmed bowled badly and all this is due to the fact that they are with Wasim Akram,8221; Sarfaraz said without enlarging his comments.
Akram had vowed not to play for the national side until his name was cleared of match-fixing allegations. He was implicated along with veteran Salim Malik and Ejaz Ahmed in an inquiry committee8217;s interim report.
He laterchanged his mind and made himself available for the Australia series following the end of the English County Championship, which saw him playing at the height of his form for Lancashire.
Sarfaraz praised the Australians and said they fully deserved to win. 8220;They batted and bowled really well but still I feel we allowed them to win,8221; he said.
When in the Pakistan side, Sarfaraz took 9-86 against Australia in Melbourne in 1978-79, he suggested Pakistan should rely on pacers.