Rashid Latif: “It was Umar Akmal whose job was of a power hitter but he messed up the innings after he got out”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif has lashed out at batsman Umar Akmal for his poor performance in the fourth ODI against Australia in Dubai on Friday.

Latif noted that Akmal should have guided Pakistan to victory after debutant Abid Ali was dismissed for a fantastic 112.

Instead, Akmal was clean bowled by Nathan Coulter-Nile for seven runs and Pakistan went on to lose the match by six runs.

“I cannot expect Mohammad Rizwan to hit big, but he did his job alongside Abid Ali and guided Pakistan comfortably,” Latif was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “It was Umar Akmal whose job was of a power hitter but he messed up the innings after he got out, and the next incoming batsman was Saad Ali, who cannot be blamed as he was a debutant.”

With Pakistan trailing 4-0 in the series, they will be looking to secure a consolation win in the fifth ODI, which will be held in Dubai on Sunday.