Pakistan’s former Test cricketer Salahuddin Ahmed said that it was the defensive approach of the interim coach Mohsin Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq which had let the Sri Lankans off the hook in the first Test and they have don’t seem to have learnt the lessons. Former cricketers Wasim Akram and Moin Akhtar have also urged Misbah to add some aggression to his game planning. “Pakistan captain and coach’s defensive approach let the Sri Lankans off the hook in the first Test and deprived Pakistan of a certain victory,” blogs.bettor.com quoted Salahuddin Ahmed as saying. “As far as the Lankans are concerned, the manner in which they salvaged the game was as good as win for them,” he said.
Salahuddin, who is also a former chief selector of Pakistan Cricket Board, urged the team captain and coach to shun the defensive approach if they want to see the side back on the winning track. Pakistan, after taking a lead of 314 runs in the first innings of the series opener at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium of Abu Dhabi, and being in a commanding position for four days, let the game slip out of their hands as Sri Lanka salvaged a draw. Salahuddin was also critical of Misbah-ul-Haq’s decision to field first after winning the toss. “Pakistan began on the wrong foot at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium when they decided to bat first which, quite frankly, came as a shock to me,” said Sallu. “However, Misbah-ul-Haq proved it to be the right decision by getting the Sri Lankans dismissed for a paltry 197,” he added further. However Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s second Test of the three-match
series is underway in Dubai.
Defensive Misbah irks former greats
