‘Batsmen should look for personal pride to win maiden series against SA’

KARACHI: Former left handed 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.

This is the time for Hafeez, Misbah & Company to play for their 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 500th 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.

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 a One day International this year while batting in pressure situation.

Meanwhile, former Test batsmen Basit Ali hailed debutants Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti for their pivotal role in Pakistan’s impressive 23-run triumph over the 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 the ball.

It was great arrival on the scene by Anwar and Bilawal, the 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 talented players who should be groomed properly.

The brilliant show by Anwar and Bilawal which even surprised pundits of the game and jampacked stadium and commentators, he said. (APP)