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Former skipper and current chief selector of Pakistan Inzamam-ul-Haq has slammed the Pakistani batsmen for their defensive approach in the first Test against New Zealand at Christchurch after the Kiwis went on to win the match by eight wickets.
"When you play 170 balls and don’t score much, the pressure obviously gets to the team," he was quoted as saying by The Dawn.
"I’m saying this as an ex-cricketer as I was in a similar position several times but got out by playing positively. I think the players needlessly went into a shell and played too many dot balls," he added.
However, he went on to say that the current team was talented and will rectify their mistakes soon. He also claimed that the Pakistani team will bounce back in the second Test.
Australian opener David Warner has made a strong statement saying that Protea skipper Faf du Plessis' alleged use of mint saliva to shine the ball didn't really affect the outcome of the Hobart Test. Cricbuzz quoted him as saying, "Whether or not he was putting anything on the ball is irrelevant."
However, the left-hander welcomed ICC's decision to investigate the issue. He said, "The rules are in place for a reason - if you're not going to use them why bother having them? That's the fortunate things these days. They've got their rules and they'll stand by these decisions. I think that's a good thing."
The Australians faced a humiliating defeat of an innings and 80 runs in the second Test at Adelaide.
Australian head coach Darren Lehmann has said that he expected current skipper Steve Smith to turn things around soon and admitted that his side have let go of the advantage in the last few matches, when they have been on top.
"One thing, when you lose games, you learn about yourself. You also learn about the structures and what you need to play at this level and the type of players.
"When you are playing well, you have got to keep playing well. One of the things we haven't done in the last few Test matches, we have been on top in a few Test matches and let the side back in. As a group, we have got to get better at that, keeping players down, keeping teams down when we get on top," he added.
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Jos Buttler likely to replace Ben Duckett in the third Test
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is all set to replace Ben Duckett in the third Test against India at Mohali. Coach Trevor Bayliss hinted at the possibility of the right-hand batsman making it to the playing eleven following his side's defeat in the second Test.
Talking to the media he said, "The one thing with Jos is that if he plays the same way as he does in one-day cricket, I think that's the way ahead for him; red ball or white ball. I think he's starting to get his head around that fact."
"He's in the top echelon of destructive batters when it comes to white-ball cricket, and there's no reason - if he can get his head around playing against a red ball - that he can't do the same and put the pressure back on the opposition," he added.
Though Bayliss is a big admirer of Duckett, it will be very difficult for the left-hander to hold his spot after having scored just 18 runs in his last two Tests.