'The team is trying to play T20 cricket' - Inzamam-ul Haq criticizes Pakistan for lack of strike rotation against England

Pakistan’s shambolic performance in the three-match ODI series against a second-string England side has not gone down well with experts, critics, and former Pakistan players. While Shoaib Akhtar came hard down at young pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq has slammed the Pakistani batters for not showing the right attitude while chasing in the second ODI against England.

The visitors’ bowling attack, led by Hasan Ali, restricted the hosts to just 247, but it was again the batting that let down Pakistan against the relatively inexperienced bowling attack of England. Rather than taking time to chase the target down, the team seemed in a hurry to finish off the run-chase.

The former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, was clearly left unimpressed by the team’s approach while batting and felt there was no strike rotation at all and even the batters were not ready to take singles or twos. While speaking on his YouTube channel Inzamam said, “Pakistan team is trying to play T20 cricket. They were going for big hits and were not rotating the strike. Pakistan played 151 dot balls and yet they didn’t bat 50 overs. Fakhar scored only 8 runs in 50 balls, so a bowler is bound to create pressure on you.”

Inzamam-ul-Haq appreciates the temperament of Saud Shakeel

There was one positive aspect for Pakistan in the batting line-up and that came from Saud Shakeel who scored 56 and looked composed at the crease. Inzamam was all praises for the youngster who showed composure and character to grind it out in the middle.

“Saud Shakeel was playing proper ODI cricket. He didn’t score at a high strike rate but I found him confident and he scored under pressure, which is a good sign for Pakistan cricket. There are areas in which he can still improve, but his confidence and technique are very good,” he said.

With an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, England will look to whitewash their opponents in the third and final ODI which will take place on Tuesday in Birmingham. On the other hand, Pakistan will look to salvage some pride and take some momentum ahead in the three-match T20I series.