Batsmen should have played positive cricket: Inzamam

KARACHI: National chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Saturday that it would have been better if Pakistani batsmen had played a bit more “positive cricket” in the seaming conditions of New Zealand in the first Test at Christchurch.

“I think our batsmen should have played positive cricket” Inzamam told reporters during his visit to National Stadium here. “Every player consumed too many deliveries and on this sort of pitches you need to play with positive approach,” he added.

He said the conditions there were tough even for the hosts. “I think Pakistan is the only sub-continent nation which plays better abroad as you see the team played well in England in the Test series. But such problems in batting are natural when you have played so much cricket in the UAE for the last five to six years,” Inzamam said.

After conceding 67 runs lead Pakistan were reeling at 129-7 at stumps on the third day of their first Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

Asad Shafiq (6*) and Sohail Khan (22*) were at the crease.

About Asad, Inzamam said he was a talented batsman and should be aware of his responsibility. “Asad is a good player. He plays at No6 now and I think he should know what is expected of him,” the former captain said.

He said that reshuffling could be made anytime according to the requirement.

Responding to a question, Inzamam said that he had been watching young cricketers and in future some of them might get chance to play for Pakistan.

About the induction of Mohammad Nawaz in the Test side for New Zealand tour, Inzamam said that as chief selector he had an idea behind Nawaz’s inclusion. “You know he can also bowl. He has been picked so that he could bowl a few economical overs in the middle to give some rest to the three pacemen and the spinner Yasir Shah. If he gets a wicket or two in the meantime it’s good enough. If not it would help the pacers and the spinner get relaxed and then attack the oppositions,” the chief selector said.

Earlier in the day, Inzamam also visited the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ground which gained first-class status with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match between National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

Talking to reporters there, Inzamam hinted that for the Test series against Australia Pakistan would need an experienced batsman in the top order and Hafeez might be part of the squad irrespective of the outcome of his bowling action test which was conducted in Brisbane, Australia, the other day.

“It will be a tough series and we will need experienced batsmen and Hafeez’s chance cannot be ruled out,” the chief selector said.

Hafeez had said at a press briefing on Friday here at National Stadium that he was optimistic that his bowling action would be cleared. “I am hopeful this time my action will be cleared. If it does not happen I will work further to get my action cleared,” Hafeez said.

He said that he was fighting for a return to Pakistan squad.

Hafeez leads defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in the absence of his senior partner Misbah-ul-Haq, who is engaged in national duty.