Pakistani batsmen playing 'old-fashioned' cricket: experts

KARACHI: Experts are of the opinion that Pakistani batsmen have been playing 'old-fashioned' cricket and domestic cricket needs to be streamlined to yield better results in future.

Speaking in Geo News' special transmission on Sunday, former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar regretted, "Pakistan has shown such immaturity in run chase against India that it appeared as if we had raised our hands."

He said that scoring 300 runs in modern-day cricket has become an easy task but Pakistani batsmen were still playing a "conventional, old-fashioned" brand of the game.

Muhammad Yousuf criticised the decision to not include Junaid Khan in the playing 11, saying, "It was an injustice to him". He added that Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur should be questioned about his "planning", which could not be witnessed during the match.

Former cricketer and analyst Sikander Bakht said domestic cricket in the country needs to be restructured in view of getting better results. He lamented that the domestic tournaments are being held without planning.

Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan said though winning or losing is part of the game, it was painful to see Pakistan lose against India without competing.

He said that it was necessary to restructure Pakistan cricket to come out of the dire situation. "As long as our cricket structure is not streamlined, the vacuum between India and Pakistan cricket will continue to increase."

Khan further said streamlining cricket was not possible without the appointment of Pakistan Cricket Board chief on merit.

"We will continue to face disappointment resulting from defeats like today's if nothing is done," he added.