Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood on Sunday said that national cricket team’s performance has been affected in all three formats of the game, a news channel reported.
Speaking to media in Dubai at the launch of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) nine-day camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the 39-year old suggested that coaches and players should give time to rectify the flaws.
Mahmood said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should announce 18-men squad for World Cup 2015 instead of 16 because it will allow additional three players to have training on Australian pitches.
Talking about increasing interest in the shortest format of the game, Mahmood said Twenty20 complimented the five-day game.
He disagreed that Twenty20 cricket was spoiling younger generations of batsmen and is a threat to Test and one-day cricket.
“I don’t accept that Twenty20 is threatening for future generations in terms of batting techniques”, he added.
Azhar Mahmood is one of only 13 players to have featured in more than 200 Twenty20 matches at all levels, with 213.
Azhar said he is ready to serve team Pakistan, if offered.
