Abdul Razzaq: “The problem with the players playing in the team right now is that they perform in one match or innings and then start rating themselves highly”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has admitted that the national team will struggle in the upcoming two-Test series against England if they continue to be overconfident.

Pakistan triumphed by five wickets in the historic Test match against Ireland, who were playing their first-ever match in the longest format.

However, during the fixture, Pakistan did find themselves in trouble at times as they were reduced to 159/6 in the first innings and 14/3 in the second innings when chasing 160 to win.

Furthermore, after a strong bowling performance in the first innings, Pakistan allowed Ireland to claw their way back into the match, which saw Kevin O’Brien score his maiden Test century and Ireland’s first-ever Test hundred.

With all this in mind, Razzaq admitted that Pakistan have to change their attitude when they go up against England at Lord’s on May 24.

“The problem with the players playing in the team right now is that they perform in one match or innings and then start rating themselves highly and that is where they go down again,” Razzaq told The Express Tribune. “The players will have to change their attitude to win matches.

“They have to stay in the present. They can’t take the opponents lightly after a good performance in the previous match or innings. This is a format where the pressure can be converted to the other team every hour.”

Razzaq added that the bowlers have to perform at a higher standard if Pakistan want to give England a run for their money.

“They are an inexperienced team and so is Ireland, but Ireland looked much more focused on the ball,” he said. “They will have to overcome this weakness for the matches against England.”

Meanwhile, former spinner Sallahuddin Sallu took aim at Shadab Khan, saying the 19-year-old spinner needs to bowl faster.

“Shadab had done well in the first innings of Ireland but then in the second he suffered in talking wickets,” Sallu said. “He was giving the ball a lot of flight and was bowling at a slow pace which was giving the batsman a lot of time to decide what shot to play.

“He should have bowled like he does in limited-over cricket; at a quicker pace and at the leg stump line.”