Qadir warns non-performers, showers praise on Shoaib Akhtar

LAHORE - Disappointed by 3-2 series loss against Australia in the Dubai one-day international tournament, Pakistan cricket chief selector Abdul Qadir has said that non-performers would not be tolerated in the team.

“I just want to say that those players who don’t perform up to the expectations of the nation will not be tolerated for long in the team,” Qadir said.

Qadir criticised the whole team, specially the batsmen, for their dismal show against the Kangaroos during the Dubai series.

“Our players batted very irresponsibly and threw away their wickets. Their performances were unacceptable and disappointing,” The Nation quoted Qadir, as saying.

However, Qadir showered praise on Shoaib Akhtar, saying he was very impressed with the way he bowled in difficult circumstances.

“I think he was very impressive in very hot and humid conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He didn’t miss any match nor did he go off the field. He tried hard and bowled well,” he said.

Qadir might have been ‘impressed’ by Akhtar’s performance, but the fiery fast bowler had a pretty ordinary series as his bowling analysis suggests.

Akhtar didn’t even completed his quota of ten overs and bowled only six over giving away 35 runs without a wicket in the first game of the Dubai series which Pakistan won by four wickets.

In the second match too, he went wicket less in seven overs giving away 32 runs.(ANI)