PZ vs LQ: Latif says commentators should have discussed ‘condition of ball’

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif was disappointed with the fact the commentators failed to discuss the condition of the ball during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eliminator between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars on Saturday.

Qalandars won the match by five wickets after chasing the 171-run target in 19 overs, courtesy an unbeaten 74-run knock by veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

Latif believes that the dew factor was a major reason why Zalmi capatain Wahab Riaz, who is considered a good death bowler, was not able to execute his yorkers.

“If you try to bowl the fuller length with the wet ball, it won’t pitch on the right area with a slingy action which is why he [Wahab] bowled it slightly short. It is difficult to reverse swing when the ball is slightly wet,” said Latif while speaking on his official YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind’.

“You would have never seen Wahab bowl like this in the death overs because he normally goes for the fuller length with pace. This was a major disadvantage and the condition of the ball should have been described by the commentators but they did not,” he added.

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He also pointed out the difference in England pacer Saqib Mahmood’s bowling during the initial and death overs.

“Saqib Mahmood picked up three wickets with the new ball as it was skidding through. But, later on, he was bowling the same length but the ball was not gaining the same height which made it easy for Hafeez, Patel and Dunk who are all good players of the short ball,” he said.

Zalmi, who won the title in 2017, were knocked out of the event after losing the match.