Pakistan were outplayed in all departments against Kiwis: Inzamam

Inzamam-ul-Haq, chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has admitted that New Zealand have outplayed his side in all departments after the visitors lost the ongoing five-match ODI series Down Under.

The Sarfraz Ahmed-led side slumped to a shocking 183-run defeat in the third ODI in Dunedin to go down 0-3 in the series against the Black Caps.

And Inzamam expressed his displeasure on Pakistan's failure to put up great show in New Zealand, saying that his side had failed to perform to their potential despite picking up the best available squad.

"Obviously, we are all disappointed at the manner in which the [Pakistan] team capitulated on Saturday. There are no excuses for such a bad show put up by the boys.We [selectors] had picked the best available squad of players and the core of them won the ICC Champions Trophy only six months ago. No doubt the pitches in New Zealand are tough for most touring teams because it takes time to adjust to the conditions there," the Dawn quoted Inzamam, as saying.

 

The chief selector, who was speaking on the sidelines of the One-day Departmental Cup final at the UBL Sports Complex, further insisted that what is more disappointing is that his experienced players have failed to perform in the series so far.

"I always maintain it is no disgrace when you lose a game but to be not playing to potential is something which is unacceptable. What has disturbed us most that the experienced lot has not been able to perform so far and that's not a good sign," he said.

Inzamam, meanwhile, pointed out Pakistan's performance at the Champions Trophy where no one expected them to do well, but they finished as the eventual champions.

"But at this point of time, I must say New Zealand have outplayed us in every department and that can be gauge by their extremely proactive body language. Our boys are capable of performing much better. Nobody gave Pakistan much chance of winning the Champions Trophy and yet the way we won the final [against India] was a wonderful gift for the entire country after many years," Inzamam remarked.

The two sides will play inconsequential fourth ODI at the Seddon Park tomorrow.