KARACHI: Former left hander Test opener and former skipper Aamir Sohail has called upon the top batsmen to play for their personal pride to win the maiden ODI series against South Africa.
"Is the time for Hafeez, Misbah & Company to play for their personal and team's pride to win the away series for Pakistan," he told APP in an interview on Tuesday ahead of the second tie in Port Elizabeth's St.George Park on Wednesday where South Africans will be playing their 500 ODI.
He firmly believed that top batsmen should take clue from young Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti how to handle formidable South African bowling attack under pressure.
"It should be a lesson for our top batmen to learn from these youngsters who steered Pakistan to remarkable victory in Cape Town in the first One-Dayer," he commented.
He said after struggling in recent weeks it was time for Muhammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Misbah-ul-Haq and other seasoned campaigners to show their magic to win the away series against Protease for Pakistan.
Like always, Pakistan batting slumped to 131-7 in Cape Town. But in a dramatic turnaround Anwar and Bilawal spurred the team to 218-9 with year's second best stand of 74 in the One-day International this year while batting in pressure situation.
In meantime former Test batsmen Basit Ali hailed debutants Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti for their pivotal role in Pakistan's impressive 23-run triumph over powerful South African team.
"What a spectacular start by two exciting young players under pressure to steer Pakistan to victory by contributing both with the bat and ball.It was great arrival on the scene by Anwar and Bilawal," former attacking batsman said.
He recalled that he was advocating for Bilawal Bhatti for the past years but selectors failed to pay heed to it.
Basit Ali was of opinion that future of Pakistan cricket was with young and talent players, who should be groomed properly.
"The brilliant show by Anwar and Bilawal which even surprised pundits of the games and jampack stadium and commentators," he said.
"Fighting batting was a slap on the face of front ranked batsmen, who again failed to put the team under pressure," he said.
He however said if proper exposure, experience and motivation these youngsters can be developed into future.
"Its was too early to judge their future. Let them perform and learn the trick and trade of international cricket," he concluded.
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