By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has urged Pakistan’s batsmen to show greater discipline and game awareness ahead of their T20 World Cup match against the United States in Colombo, calling on the team’s leadership to “educate youngsters” and focus on batting through the full 20 overs.
Speaking to thecricketplus.com before the match Sadiq said Pakistan should bat first if they win the toss and aim for a total of 185 or more, stressing that the top five batsmen must occupy the crease for the entire innings rather than relying solely on aggressive stroke-play.
“If the toss is won by Pakistan then Pakistan must bat first and the top five batsmen must consume 20 overs for a total of 185-plus,” Sadiq said.
“Regardless of how aggressive you play, the total will not be more than 195 to 210, so someone must bat till the last ball.”
Sadiq expressed particular concern over opener Saim Ayub, saying the left-hander should be encouraged to play “proper cricketing shots” once he gets set.
“When Saim has scored 20 in the first three overs, I cannot understand why he tries to hit every ball out of the ground,” Sadiq said. “You don’t have to score on every delivery. You must give respect to good bowling.”
The former opener also criticised what he described as a similar approach from captain Salman, urging him to anchor the innings and guide younger players.
“Our captain has also started hitting every ball,” Sadiq said. “Salman should calm down and play sensibly, bat till the last ball of the innings and carry his bat through the 20 overs.”
Sadiq said Pakistan’s batting unit needed time in the middle to prepare for tougher challenges later in the tournament.
“Pakistan batsmen need good batting practice for hard matches to come,” he said. “Set batsmen must finish the innings and not play non-cricketing shots after crossing their fifties.”
He added that the responsibility lay not only with the players but also with the team management.
“Salman as a captain must stay on the pitch and guide our young, budding cricketers on how to be match finishers,” Sadiq said. “Coach, captain and manager must educate our youngsters.”
Sadiq suggested “Educate our youngsters” should be the guiding theme for Pakistan’s approach as they look to balance aggression with responsibility in the shortest format.
