Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that the lack of preparation by pacer Mohammad Abbas for the Test against South Africa was the reason why the bowler looked a bit out of touch in the second Test.

“He recovered from the injury, however, he didn’t practice much for the Test match,” said Akhtar, while talking to local media. “He performed well in the second inning, but it was too late in the day. He would have looked much better if he had played the two Tests,” he added.

With figures of 1/100 and 1/14 in the first and second innings of the second test, Abbas didn’t seem at his lethal best. Meanwhile, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed criticized his own fast bowlers after South Africa managed to clinch a nine wickets win in the second Test, and in doing they claimed the series. The skipper during the post match conference was of the view that his bowlers lack of pace didn’t fare well for the team.

Akhtar, who boost a number of records under his belt including the fastest bowler ever was of the view that a good fast bowler needs two to three innings to be back into the rhythm.

Abbas was out of the first Test against South Africa due to a shoulder injury, which he sustained during the series against New Zealand back in November.