Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has strongly criticized the national team’s performance following their 84-run loss in the second ODI against New Zealand. After failing to win the T20 series, Pakistan lost the ODI series as well. With this defeat, New Zealand has secured a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse in Run Chase
Chasing a target of 292 runs, Pakistan struggled significantly, getting bowled out for 208 runs. The top-order batters failed to perform, exposing Pakistan’s vulnerability against quality pace bowling in bouncy and swinging conditions.
Rashid Latif Highlights Pakistan’s Weakness on Swinging Tracks
Reacting to the defeat, Rashid Latif pointed out Pakistan’s recurring struggles on pitches with swing and bounce. He stated:
“Our team struggles to withstand swing and bounce, leading to frequent collapses. Our batters are unable to handle deliveries above waist height. If we want to succeed in white-ball cricket, we must adapt to the evolving global standards.”
Faheem Ashraf Acknowledges Difficult Playing Conditions
Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf also admitted that New Zealand’s conditions have been challenging from the start. He explained how the new ball makes batting tougher, whereas things ease up slightly once the ball gets older.
“When Naseem Shah and I were batting, the ball had already become older, making it easier to play. But we cannot rely on individual performances alone.”
Final Thoughts
With another series loss, Pakistan faces critical questions about its ability to handle foreign conditions. Cricket experts, including Rashid Latif, emphasize the need for significant improvements in batting technique to compete at the highest level in world cricket.