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Dav Watmore

KARACHI. — Zimbabwe would be benefited from knowledge of Pakistan team and their weakness by their coach Dav Whatmore, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said yesterday.

The two teams meet in a crucial World Cup showdown in Canberra tomorrow.

“Yes it could benefit Zimbabwean team as Whatmore would be working to exploit the advantage,” he said ahead of Pakistan’s do-or-die World Cup clash at the Gabba.

Whatmore served as Pakistan team’s head coach before being replaced by Waqar Younis.

However, Rashid Latif said, despite suffering two big defeats against India and West Indies, Pakistan will do better against Zimbabwe.

He warned Pakistan team to raise the standard of game in all areas of the like batting, bowling, fielding and fitness.

“Only performances of highest level against Zimbabwe can give them breather and confidence,” he said.

“Pakistan team is facing huge pressure and worries. But they will be good against Zimbabwe,” he predicted. He strongly advocated for the inclusion of wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed in the line-up.

“Sarfraz is courageous batsman and he could be best choice in the circumstances. Dropping him in the first two games was blunder it is times to amend,” he added.

He was of the view that Pakistan team must go five bowlers with leg spinner Yasir Shah. “Yasir could pose trouble to Zimbabwe batting if smartly bowled his googlies and slippers,” he maintained.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Bari called for a serious soul searching if they wanted to revive their fortunes in the Cricket World Cup.

“The way clue-less Pakistan team played against India and West Indies it looked they played without heart and soul,” he commented.

However, he warned, if Pakistan team did not come with a powerful show against Zimbabwe it can end their World Cup campaign.

He expressed his dismay for lack of tactics, strategy, planning which let the team down.

“We all failed to understand what’s going on with the team in Australia and what are problems with the players for failing time and again,” he remarked.

He called upon veteran batsman Younus Khan to voluntarily rest from a couple of games in the interest of the team.

“Younus is a patriotic player set an example like out of form Misbah dropped him in the series against Australia,” he commented.

He stressed the need for including specialist wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed in the team. Wasim Bari also favoured inclusion of paceman Rahat Ali in the next game to strengthen the bowling.

“We must have five specialist bowlers and our pacemen must bowl within the channel,” he suggested. — Daily Times.