Pakistan created history because of team work: Sallu

KARACHI: As the cricket world showered praise on the retiring duo of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, former Pakistan Test cricketer Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu underlined the importance of team work in the visitors’ historic Test victory in the Caribbean.

“Pakistan have managed to create history by winning their first ever series in the West Indies mainly because of the team work, the former Pakistan chief selector told ‘The News’ on Monday.

Referring to Pakistan’s triumph in the third and final Test at Windsor Park in Dominica on Sunday, Sallu said that the likes of Yasir Shah, Azhar Ali and newcomers Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali were the chief reasons behind the memorable victory.

“The best thing for Pakistan is that almost everyone contributed towards the series victory,” he said. “It’s good see individual winning matches but it is even better when team effort is behind victory,” he added.

Sallu hailed Azhar Ali’s century and added that the bowling trio of Yasir, Abbas and Hasan made sure that Pakistan win the series.

But he was quick to add that Shanon Gabriel’s irresponsible shot just one over before the end of the final session of the third Test helped Pakistan win the series.

“One must say that luck favoured Pakistan because Chase had almost saved the Test for West Indies with a brilliant century.”

Sallu said that Pakistan will now have to learn to live with Misbah and Younis.

“Misbah and Younis are great cricketers and their departure will be a huge blow for the national team,” he said.

“We will have to work hard to fill the gaps left by them. It will not be easy. Pakistan will need a lot of rebuilding but I’m confident that we will succeed,” he concluded.