Pakistan must score more than 300: Sallu

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu on Friday stressed that Pakistan would have to raise the standard of their batting and fielding to win the One-day Series against England.

“Pakistan must score 300 plus runs and should take their catches if they are to beat England,” Sallu said in a statement.

Pakistan face England in the second One-day International at the Oval’s on Saturday (today).

In the first game of the five-match series at Southampton on Wednesday, Pakistan lost to England by 44 runs on D/L method after rain stopped the play.

Pakistan scored 260-6. In reply, England were 194-3 in 34.3 overs when rain stopped the game.

“I think our team was 30 to 40 runs short,” said Sallu.

Sallu pointed out that Mohammad Hafeez’s lean patch was hurting Pakistan’s batting.

“It is sad that Hafeez is still going through a bad patch. Although captain Azhar Ali played a fine knock of 82 and was trying to anchor the innings he could not find a reliable partner after Babar Azam,” said Sallu, also a former national selector.

Sallu said if Sharjeel Khan had not wasted the review in the beginning, Babar Azam could have benefited from it. “Sharjeel was clearly out and should not have asked for a review. Baber was looking good for at least 70 or 80 when he was wrongly adjudged lbw,” the 69-year-old said.

He praised Sarfraz Ahmed for the way he played. “Sarfraz batted well; other players should learn from him how to handle pressure in the middle of the innings,” he added.

Sallu backed Azhar’s decision to send Sarfraz at number five. “It’s good idea to play him up the order as he gets more overs to score some quick runs,” Sallu said.

Sallu said Pakistan could afford to play with the same team. “No need to make hasty changes at this stage. Our batsmen can score 300 plus runs if they apply themselves and take full advantage of power-plays,” he said.

He said Pakistani fielders would have to be tough in the field. “You will have to pay for a dropped chance in cricket at the highest level. Pakistan will need to work hard in the field,” Sallu said.

He also advised the bowlers to be disciplined. “Umar Gul, Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim should bowl with a tight length in order to pin down the opposition,” he said.

“There were quite a few leg-side deliveries and I thought that helped England score quickly,” Sallu said.