Barry Richards critical of dedication of Pakistan team

Barry Richards tells it as it is © AFP

Barry Richards, the former South African batting great, has said that the current Pakistan team had plenty of talent but fell short when it came to dedication. "I give Pakistan 10 out of 10 as far as the talent is concerned, but six out of 10 for dedication and commitment," he is reported to have said by the Press Trust of India.

Richards, currently in Pakistan as a consultant to the team, made these comments after interacting with the team at practice at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Richards is in Pakistan for a week to pass on tips to the team which is in a preparatory camp for the Asia Cup.

Richards attributed Pakistan's loss to India in the recent home series to a lack of competitive spirit in its players."The home team was unlucky that it could not win the closely fought series, but the defeat could be attributed to lack of competitive spirit in the cricketers," he was quoted as saying in The Dawn. It is competitive spirit, which has made Australia the number one team in the world, said Richards.