National cricketers asked to raise level of game

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmad and his men’s casual approach against India in two important matches has come as a surprise to many cricketing fans who demanded of players to raise the level of their game to their best of abilities.

Led by Sarfraz, all national cricketers put up below par performance in the last three matches of the Asia Cup forcing fans and some former cricketers to call for players’ accountability.

“Look at the non serious attitude of players during important matches against India. While Indian cricketers attitude was total professional, majority of our players were seen showing non-serious attitude during the entire day and night game,” a local cricket fan Asif Sheikh said.

India went on to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the pool match and return with yet another impressive nine-wicket victory in the Super Four match against Greenshirts. “What has happened to Pakistan cricketers? Majority of them hardly look serious with some of them clearly giving the impression that neither they are fit nor they are in a positive frame of mind to give their hundred percent,” a former Test cricketer said.

He questioned the fitness level of Sarfraz Ahmad, Shahdab Khan and Aamir. “It seems that they are just going through their motions. None of three looks fit and ready to take the attack to Indians.”

The cricketer said he was amazed at the level Sarfraz ability to comprehend the best out of given situation. “Dubai City Stadium pitch tends to get batting friendly at later stage. I am amazed at Sarfraz decision to bat first in Super Four match against India. Had Rohit Sharma won the toss, he would have also put Pakistan in to bat knowing well that chasing target would be easier. It seems that Pakistanis captain was not serious to make all out effort to beat India.”

Sarfraz is going through the worst batting and fielding patch of his life. Besides dropping catches in recently held series, Sarfraz batting average shows his approach towards the game.

In last twelve one-day matches in which he had batted, Sarfraz scored 160 runs with tail-end batsmen like average of around 17 runs per innings. “Had there been any other captain, the media would have started hue and cry and would have demanded his head but in the case of Sarfraz no one raises voice. He is too mediocre a wicketkeeper when it comes to keeping against spinners. If he is not in a position to contribute with bat, there is no need to give him this important position,” the former Test who also worked as a team coach said.