Pakistan team is playing T20 cricket in ODIs: Inzamamul Haq

Former cricketer Inzamamul Haq believes Pakistan is approaching ODI cricket with a T20 mindset after England's second-string side beat Pakistan by 52 runs in the second ODI at Lord's on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer criticised Pakistan batsman for not taking their time at the crease.

“Pakistan team is trying to play T20 cricket. They were going for big hits and were not rotating the strike. Pakistan played 151 dot balls and yet they didn’t bat 50 overs. Fakhar scored only 8 runs in 50 balls, so a bowler is bound to create pressure on you,” Inzamam said.

“Every batsman is playing four dot balls and then going for a hit. You need to rotate strike and give time to yourself in ODIs otherwise you will only score 150 or 190,” he added.

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However, Inzamam lauded the temperament of young batsman Saud Shakeel, who scored his maiden ODI fifty in the second ODI.

“Saud Shakeel was playing proper ODI cricket. He didn’t score at a high strike-rate but I found him confident and he scored under pressure, which is a good sign for Pakistan cricket. There are areas in which he can still improve, but his confidence and technique are very good,” he said.

Pakistan will take on England in third match of the series on Tuesday in Birmingham.