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Nasser Hussain wants Pakistan to improve their Test performance

Nasser urged that the national team play on better pitches and consider the long term

Nasser Hussain wants Pakistan to improve their Test performance PHOTO: AFP

Former England captain turned commentator Nasser Hussain has given little advice to the Pakistan team on improving their Test performance after being whitewashed by England in a three-match series at home.

England won the third Test in Karachi by eight wickets on December 20, handing Pakistan their first-ever series whitewash on home soil.

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The visitors scored 167 runs quickly after losing two wickets.

"Sometimes I think they don't pick as well as they could. They could play good players like Shan Masood. So if you have him, you have Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Saud Shakeel. Then you start picking your best batters and don't confuse it," he said in an interview with a local digital sports portal.

"Fast bowlers are like gold dust, and they couldn't do anything about the injuries. Try and rest and rotate your fast bowlers a little bit. Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are playing all formats. So look after your bowlers," he added.

Furthermore, Nasser urged that the national team play on better pitches and consider the long term.

"Play on better pitches and think about the future. One thing Rob Key [Managing Director of England's men's cricket] is doing is he is already preparing for the next ICC World Cup in India. Also, look at first-class cricket cause there must be high quality. I have watched videos of people tape-ball cricket, so there is raw talent in Pakistan, which has never been a doubt. So how do you nurture that raw talent to become a Test player is important," he said.

Finally, he praised left-handed batter Saud Shakeel and adviced the national team's management to give him a chance.

"I love how Saud Shakeel is playing. Give him a long go. Axing a player based on his failure in two or three matches causes lost confidence. If you believe in someone, give them a long run," he concluded.

Pakistan are scheduled to take on New Zealand in a two-match Test series, starting on December 26 at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.