Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the ODI series 1-2 and one has to agree that post the first ODIs, the Men in Green lost their touch and eventually put on a dismal performance in the remaining matches, despite gaining momentum in both the second and third ODIs. Fans, on the other hand, claimed that the Pakistani team must get things sorted ahead of the 50-over World Cup to be held in India later this year, given that it will be a highly competitive tournament.
Taking cognizance of the same, the former Pakistani cricketer Salam Butt, expressed his displeasure over the Pakistan pacers and said that they were not up to the mark, eventually letting the momentum slip away. To add more, Butt claimed that it was the likes of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah who were responsible for the loss. It remains to be seen if the team could make a comeback in the coming games, although fans claim that it was skipper Babar Azam’s fault to let the series slip away.
Neither did you bowl bouncer nor did you bowl a yorker: Salman Butt
Butt questioned the intent of the bowlers and said that they must have increased their pace after losing the second ODI. The Babar-led team lost to England in the Test series and failed to clinch a win in the series against New Zealand. Fans were hopeful for a series win against the Kiwis in the ODIs but in vain as they tasted defeat yet again, eventually ending up criticising Babar for his questionable decisions and squad selection.
“I’m most disappointed with the Pakistan bowlers. What were they doing? Ye speed kya bank me jama karaani hai? (Do you have to deposit the speed in the bank?) Neither did you bowl bouncer nor did you bowl a yorker. The batter smashed you for midwicket and front of square towards six. No yorkers, no bouncers! At one point, I think Haris Rauf bowled 10 slower balls in his two overs,” Butt was quoted as saying.
“You are a genuine pacer. You bowl fast. Where is your speed? Why didn’t you bowl a yorker? Even if you had missed a yorker, it’s not easy to smash a lower full toss for a six,” he added. The Kiwis will take on Rohit Sharma-led India for a three-match ODI and T20I series set to get underway on January 18, Wednesday,
