Ex-Pak coach holds team management responsible for poor show in Champions Trophy

Karachi: Former Pakistan head coach Mohsin Khan has said that team management is responsible for Pakistan`s consistent failure to perform in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

Two back-to-back defeats in the Champions Trophy and India`s win over the West Indies sealed Pakistan`s exit from the tournament when just a week ago they were being dubbed as the favourites to win. The exit of the team after successive losses against the West Indies and South Africa comes as a big disappointment to fans, who were hoping for a maiden title for Pakistan in the last edition of the eight-nation tournament. Saddened with the team`s standing in the mega event, Khan, who was the head coach before Dav Whatmore`s appointment, said that people who removed him from the post despite his successful run as a coach due to their vested interest should be accounted for as their actions have resulted in the team`s poor show. Stating that he will request Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take steps to rescue the game, Khan further said that the team was not balanced, adding that players like Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi should have given a place in the squad instead of the ones who fail again and again. Khan further said that he cannot believe that it is the same Pakistan team which had enjoyed a successful run in the past few years, adding that there is no determination and fighting spirit in the team now. Meanwhile, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said the players showed lack of maturity that cost the team heavily, and added that experienced players should be recalled. According to the former speedster, there is no batting talent in the current squad, adding that although it is necessary to have young players, the selectors should not have dropped experienced players like Younus Khan, Abdul Razzaq and Afridi until suitable replacements had been found for them. ANI