Team needs to follow proper game plan to bounce back: Kamran.

Byline: Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD -- Test-discard wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal has questioned the decision of team management, head coach and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for changing set format of the team against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 opener and held all responsible for the disgraceful defeat of the national team.

In an interview with The Nation, Kamran said: 'I am really surprised to see change in the playing XI and especially the batting order. I have failed to understand the logic behind the decision of Sarfraz to hold Hafeez for so late and promoting himself up the order. I am also astonished to see Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali sitting out in the first match. Asif is a natural striker of the ball and can contribute some significant runs.'

He said that Pakistan was scoring loads of runs against England in the ODI series while the bowlers were struggling, but strangely, when batting order and playing XI was changed without any reason, it started suffering. 'The team should have entered with proper game plan. The West Indian bowlers had made simple plan for Pakistani batsmen, as they used short pitch deliveries, which worked and they managed to bowl out the men in green at a very low total.

'Our batsmen were neither pulling the short pitch ball nor they were leaving it. I had never witnessed such poor strategy against fast bowlers. It also indicates that other teams have noticed the weaknesses of Pakistani batsmen and it will not stop with West Indies match. The head coach, batting and bowling coaches had no proper plan against the West Indies, that's why they including captain should be held responsible for such a shocking loss,' he added.

Kamran said: 'Shaoiab Malik and Asif Ali must be in...