NZ vs PAK 2018: Younis Khan 's advice to Sarfraz Ahmed after 0-4 loss in New Zealand

Pakistan lost the ODI series 0-4 in new Zealand.

Sarfraz Ahmed struggling to find his form | Getty Images

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan, on Tuesday, has expressed his discontentment over national team’s recent disastrous show in New Zealand, where they went down with 0-4 in the ongoing five-match One Day International series against the Black Caps.

Although, Sarfraz Ahmed has tasted the joy of success across format since taking over the captaincy, especially leading Pakistan to their maiden ICC Champions Trophy title. 

 This time however, Sarfraz failed to replicate the performance both as captain and batsman, and his side has to face humiliating series defeat in New Zealand, and the legendary batsman believes that the skipper needs to quickly improve his individual game as the leaders' show have a great impact on the team.

The 40-year-old admitted that Sarfraz has brought the Champions Trophy title home, but he can’t live up with his team's historical triumph forever. His last three innings score reads 8, 3, and 14 in the ongoing ODI series, while he scored 51 in the fourth ODI, therefore, Younis cautions Sarfaraz to come himself out from Champions Trophy triumph and advised give time to himself and work on fitness.

According to a report in Dawn, Younis Khan said, “Although Sarfraz has brought the Champions Trophy title home, in recent matches his performance is not satisfactory and for this, he will have to concentrate on his own performance and get serious. As a captain, you have additional responsibility but you have to keep up your performance too, you have added responsibility since the level of your individual performance may have an impact on the performance of the rest of the team. Sarfaraz will have to give time to himself and work on fitness and skills to take up his performance.”

Although, Younis admitted that Pakistan always faces difficulty in New Zealand, but said they can’t blame always on the conditions, saying, “The team always faces difficulty when they go to play in New Zealand. The conditions there are quite different and are arguably even tougher than what you find in England, South Africa or even Australia. They should be backed right now rather than being bashed by everyone.”

He concluded by saying, “They should be backed rather than being bashed, but they will have to adopt better to the conditions. They cannot blame the conditions for every defeat. They will have to work on their skills and develop them accordingly. The technique should be tweaked according to the conditions. They cannot just play the blame game every time.”

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 16 Jan, 2018

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