Former Test speedster Sarfraz Nawaz criticises PCB for resting key players for Australia ODIs

Former Pakistan Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has criticized Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) for resting top Pakistani cricketers for the ODI series against Australia. The board and national selectors apparently thought that the cricketers needed some rest after playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Pakistan have lost the first four of the five ODIs, and all of them miserably. As many as six of their top players, including Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam, were rested for the all-important series which could have served as perfect match practice ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Talking to Dawn, Sarfraz said that such a shocking decision, to rest key players for a key series, could destroy Pakistan cricket. “Win or loss does not matter, the first thing for the selectors is to field the best team and no one can justify the policy of resting the key players, especially when the World Cup is barely two months away.

“I don’t believe the PSL’s T20 matches were any serious activity which could cause fatigue to the players. The PSL was just a cakewalk for the players and could not have been tiresome for them. So this ‘rest’ logic is beyond me really,”

Pakistan lose despite two centuries

Pakistan, after losing the first three ODIs, were in a good position to seal the fourth match in Dubai. But they lived up to their unpredictable tag and lost last six wickets in the nine overs. Despite the centuries from Abi Ali, the debutant, and Mohammad Rizwan, they lost their way horribly in the death overs and the long boundaries in Dubai also didn’t help the team’s cause.

Even Shoaib Malik’s absence was felt in the middle-order who missed the game due to a bruised left rib on the day. It remains to be seen if he gets fit in time for the last ODI.

[interaction id=”5c9f3a95cd7bd9caa614831a”]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.