ISLAMABAD: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz Tuesday said Pakistan's consecutive defeats against New Zealand's Board President XI team was a bad signal for the green-shirts to win the World Cup.
The team's mediocre performance even against locals showed that the players lacked the passion and aggression, he said while talking to APP.
The team lost the first one day international (ODI) against Board President by six wickets and the second by one wicket.
It may be mentioned that Pakistan will play two ODIs against the New Zealand team on January 31 and February 3.
Sarfraz advised the team management to boost players' confidence to avoid total collapse in the mega event, where they would have to fight their nerves against world's best competitors. He said both Moin Khan and Waqar Younis should play their due role being seniors, who had faced such situations in the past.
The team's morale, he said, had already shaken due to the absence of main bowlers Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan. Muhammad Hafeez would also not be able to bowl.
He said the selected bowlers would have to deliver, otherwise it would cost the team. Sohail Tanvir should have been included in the squad as being an all-rounder he could help the team with his bowling and batting.
Praising Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal, Sarfraz said the Pakistan captain had proved his class that he was still a mainstay for the team as a bastman. "Rumours were spread before team's announcement for the World Cup that Misbah would be dropped from the WC squad because of his hamstring injury. Misbah proved his critics wrong through his performance."
Misbah had scored 107 and 88 not-out while Umar made 68 and 77, respectively in the first and second ODIs against Board President XI.
Sarfraz said same was the case for Umar, who also proved his selection right.
He urged the Pakistan Cricket (PCB) to solve the central contracts issue so that players could play the World Cup with peace
of mind. "The PCB should give importance to the players' performance before taking any decision," he said.
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