Lack of fitness caused defeat, says Sohail (11 November 1998)

11 November 1998

Lack of fitness caused defeat, says Sohail

By Our Sports Correspondent

LAHORE, Nov 10: Fitness problems of players are the root cause of Pakistan's debacle in the Test and One-Day cricket series against Australia.

This was stated by Pakistan skipper Aamir Sohail after losing the third and final One-Day match by six wickets and the series to Australia 3-0 at the Qadhafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Aamir Sohail said that efforts were needed to keep Pakistan players fit. He said that it was alarming situation for Pakistan that the junior players were also facing fitness problems. Citing the example, the veteran of 146 one-day matches Sohail maintained that players like Muhammad Zahid, Arshad Khanand Shoaib Akhtar, all had been facing fitness problems during or before the start of a match.

"And these things always upset your planning," he said.

Asked about today's match, Aamir Sohail said that Pakistan batsmen had done a commendable job by setting up a tough target of 316 for Australia, but Shoaib Akhtar quit the field after bowling eight overs as he was having some knee problem. Off-spinner Arshad Khan was feeling pain in shoulder in the morning and could not play in the match which aggravated Pakistan problems to defend a mounting total. He said poor fielding Pakistan team also played a role for defeat. Had Pakistan fielders not conceded 30 to 40 runs which they could save with extra efforts, the result would have been in favour of Pakistan, he asserted.

Australian captain Steve Waugh said that any target was not hard for a professional side.

"We played professionally and you saw Australia achieved a good target easily," he said.

Waugh said his team was studded with seven top batsmen who were capable of achieving the target.

Steve Waugh termed the pitch of the Qadhafi Stadium an ideal for the one-day cricket.

While replying to a question, he said his team's performance was improving and they enjoyed good cricket during the tour. However, he said Australians were needed the service of leg-spinners to have good rating for the next World Cup.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)