Pakistan can win ODI series in Australia: Tauseef

KARACHI: Pakistan former Test and ODI cricketer Tauseef Ahmed applauded the performance of Pakistan in the 2nd ODI match against Australia and expressed the hope that Greenshirts would continue their wonderful performance and win the series on Australian soil.

Tauseef, while talking to The News, said that the confidence and morale of Pakistani players were high from the start of the series as they gave tough time in the first ODI to Australia, but in the second 0DI Pakistani players did a splendid job and defeated them. He said the bowlers did not allow any batsmen to play for big score. “Later our openers played outstandingly,” he added.

“The credit goes to first our bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi who destroyed Australian batting line, restricting them to 163. Later openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique played outstandingly,” he said.

He said that batting is a difficult task on Australian soil. “Both openers did well, especially Saim Ayub. He is a talented player,” said Tauseef. He said captain Rizwan Ahmed also proved his class as a wicketkeeper taking six catches behind the wicket. He used his bowlers well, he said.

He said that Pakistan cricket team should remain clam and composed, control their nerves, especially batsmen. “The team management should strictly direct them not to chase every ball,” said Tauseef. He said that Pakistan batsmen should leave the balls pitched outside off and short balls, which are their old weaknesses. “They must play all 50 overs. If you save the upper batting line you can use long handle in the last overs,” said the former off spinner.