|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Don't panic Miandad warns Pakistan: Raise game or face the shame
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) -- Pakistan cricket coach Javed Miandad said Monday his team must make quick improvements or risk being beaten by New Zealand in the upcoming test series. Struck by injuries to senior players, Pakistan was beaten in just over two days by a New Zealand A side before Thursday's three-test series opener at Auckland's Eden Park. Pakistan lost by an innings and 54 runs as its batting lasted just 82 overs in both innings, a result that Miandad should make the players be "ashamed of themselves." With batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq and opener Saeed Anwar (both groin injuries), allrounder Wasim Akram (side strain), allrounders Azhar Mahmood (groin and back) and Abdur Razzaq (gastritis), Pakistan is desperate to put together a fit side for the opener. Right-handed batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, who had a prolific series with the bat for Gujranwala in Pakistan's domestic first-class season, arrived Monday as a cover for Inzamam. Saeed and Wasim were examined by local medical specialists and were given painkillers, said team manager Fakir Aizazuddin. "I've told them in no uncertain terms that if we don't play to our potential we'll become a laughing stock," Miandad said. Miandad was critical of the senior players for their lack of commitment and enthusiasm during Pakistan's 3-2 defeat to New Zealand in the one-day international series that ended last week. New Zealand had lost its two previous one-day series at home to Zimbabwe (2-1) and Sri Lanka (4-1) before beating Pakistan. "It's true we didn't have our senior players playing this three-day match," said Miandad. "But the way we folded, the players have to be ashamed of themselves. "I know it's too early to panic at this stage. But we have to work hard to get all those who are injured and missed this game match-fit in the next three days." Team doctor Dr. Riaz Ahmed said Wasim's injury remains a major concern for the touring side and skipper Moin Khan said a decision to send for a replacement will be made only after a final assessment of the key all-rounder's condition. Pakistan's backup batting in the tour match was poor under any standards, said Miandad. Miandad has been seen working hard with the junior members of the tour party while there seems to be a major communication problem between the coach and the senior players. Although both Miandad and Moin have shrugged off reports of clashes, the former Pakistan skipper has survived two senior-player revolts in the recent months. The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement at home supporting Miandad and says he'll remain as coach for the rest of the tour after reports said he was resigning before the test series. Also hindering preparation was the lack of form shown by leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Moin had threatened to abandon the tour after the PCB selectors demanded Saqlain and Mahmood returned with the three players -- Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Farhat and Shahid Afridi -- on the conclusion of the one-dayers.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
