Pakistan cricketers Sohail Tanvir and Imran Nazir have stressed on the need for strong opening partnerships if the Men in Green are to succeed in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand.   

The home side will face the Kiwis on Friday, November 9 in Abu Dhabi with the series on the line, after having lost the first ODI by 47 runs at the same venue.

Speaking about Pakistan’s defeat while talking to The Express Tribune, Tanvir said: “The team didn’t have a good opening which was the reason behind the loss. In the past, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam were the key players who had provided a solid foundation but this was not the case in the first ODI.”

Tanvir was also unimpressed with the bowling performance of left-arm pacer Junaid Khan — who conceded 56 runs in nine overs without picking up a wicket in the first ODI — but wanted the team management to give him another chance in the series.

“Junaid Khan is a specialist ODI bowler, he should have done better. He is a class bowler but it was not his day,” he said. “He has capability of doing much better. He should be given another chance in the next match and he should focus on his special deliveries for next match up.”

Meanwhile opening batsman Imran Nazir also talked about Pakistan’s opening concerns stating: “Once the openers and top order falls, it becomes really difficult for the middle-order to provide stability.”

Nazir also criticised Pakistan batsmen’s inability to play in accordance with requirements of ODI format.

 “The three quick wickets were of those who were doing well in T20. They will have to understand the format of ODI and approach to the game accordingly,” he said. “Our batsmen should have an attacking approach but after getting set on the crease. Smart cricket is required for this format. They have the potential of scoring more runs than they did in the first match.”

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was the top run-scorer for the side in the first ODI with 64 runs but Nazir believes that he should have guided team to victory by staying on the wicket till the end of the innings. He was also disappointed with the choice of shot which got him dismissed.  

“Sarfraz has played well but if he had stayed on the crease till the end, it would have been helpful. He lost wicket through a very poor shot. That was not the shot to play on a yorker,” he said.