Inzamam-ul-Haq slams Pakistan for dismal ODI series against New Zealand

Former skipper and Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has slammed the team for their underwhelming performances so far on the tour of New Zealand, saying that the manner of the defeats is most concerning. The margins of defeat are definitely what has raised the alarm for the visiting side.

The Men in Green have already surrendered the five-match ODI series after losing the first three games, the last of which was a colossal 183-run loss in Dunedin on Saturday when they were bowled out for just 74. In the remaining two rubbers, while New Zealand may look to experiment with other players, Pakistan will be playing for pride.

Inzamam, who played 120 Tests and 378 ODIs, said that the team is not playing to their true potential. As reported by Cricket 365, Inzamam said: “Obviously we are all disappointed at the manner in which the team capitulated on Saturday.”

“Selectors had picked the best available squad of players and the core of them won the ICC Champions Trophy only six months ago,” he added.

NZ conditions tough; senior lot has disappointed

The lateral movement in New Zealand has undone the visiting batsmen unceremoniously as Kiwi bowlers, Trent Boult and Tim Southee, in particular, have made the most of what their home conditions have to offer. Apart from swing, these pitches also cater to pace, bounce which have proved to be too much for the Pakistan side to deal with.

“No doubt the pitches in New Zealand are tough for most touring teams because it takes time to adjust to the conditions there,” Inzi added.

However, players like Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan and Rumman Raees who are relatively new to these conditions have adjusted better than seniors like Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Khan, and Azhar Ali. The latter group has been below par in mostly all games.

“I always maintain it is no disgrace when you lose a game but to be not playing to potential is something that is unacceptable. What has disturbed us the most is that the experienced lot has not been able to perform so far and that’s not a good sign,” the former skipper added.

Expecting a comeback

The Pakistan legend is confident though that they can turn things around in the remaining two ODI games and in the three-match T20I series that will follow. The final two ODI matches will be played on Tuesday and Friday while the T20I series starts on 22 January.

Inzamam concluded saying, “Pakistan can still make a comeback in the remaining of the One Day International series and have an even chance of winning of the T20I series as of New Zealand.”