Pakistan’s Moin wants bold steps

Pakistan’s chief of selectors and manager Moin Khan has called for bold steps to lift the team’s performance ahead of next year’s World Cup following a disastrous tour of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lost the two-match Test series 2-0 and went down 2-1 in one-day internationals on last month’s tour, a failure which Khan said will affect World Cup preparations.

“Naturally it has an effect on their minds,” Khan told reporters on Thursday after meeting Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman as part of a review of the tour.

“Time is short for the World Cup and we have to take bold steps and we will take bold steps in the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” Khan said.

“Everyone will try his best to understand and as soon as possible improve it in the next series,” said Khan, warning that underperforming players could be under threat.

Pakistan next play Australia and New Zealand – both in United Arab Emirates – from October to December.

Asked if Misbah-ul Haq should be changed as one-day captain, Khan said: “That is not my domain. If my feedback is sought, only then will I say.”

Khan said the team had enjoyed stability under Misbah but acknowledged the skipper was in poor form.

“After a long time Misbah’s performance has slid. If you look in the past his performance was very good, his being an anchor role, and he has performed in crisis.”

A pressing worry for Pakistan is star spinner Saeed Ajmal, currently being investigated for a suspect bowling action.

Ajmal was tested in a biomechanical lab in Australia last month and if he is banned, Pakistan’s bowling attack will be severely weakened.

Khan said selectors had been scouring Pakistani domestic cricket and identified “two or three” possible alternatives.

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