Pakistan cricket team has faced India twice in Asia Cup 2018 and their batting unit was a big let down. Of course, their bowling wasn't anywhere near their best, but a small target in front of a batting heavy team India was never going to be easy for them.
Not only India, Pakistan struggled against Afghanistan as well. Had Afghanistan gotten Shoaib Malik, the game was over for Pakistan. Such is their condition. We saw very fewer contributors for them in the tournament.
Former Pakistan captain Saleem Malik, who played 103 Tests for the nation, has opened up with his remedy for the men in green. Malik believes that Pakistan needs batsmen like Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez in its middle order.
“The batsmen like Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are need of the hour,” he said.
He cited Pakistan's unexpectedly poor cricket against India a major reason for the loss. “Pakistan played poor cricket which was not expected from a team who performed quite well last year,” he said.
The 55-year-old also believes captain Sarfraz Ahmed isn't suitable for number 4 and should bat a little deep. “Sarfraz’s decision to come at number four is wrong he should play at down the batting order,” he stated.
He continued and advised the head coach Mickey Arthur to not put pressure on his players and let them play expressive cricket.
Pointing out the overreliance on a couple of batsmen in Pakistan team, he said, “Shoaib, being a senior batsman knows how to absorb pressure and Babar Azam at this age has the temperament to play long innings."