Our success depends on batsmen’s performance: Iqbal Qasim

Pakistan’s chances of winning the series against South Africa depends on the performance of its batsmen despite enjoying the services of formidable spinners, former chief selector Iqbal Qasim said on Tuesday.

“Batting was our main worry in the past. Experienced batting duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq needs the support of fellow batsmen,” the former Test left-arm spinner said.

“A lot of talking is going on about spinning tracks but it is our batting which is our main concern,” he added.

“We can only produce good results if we bat, bowl and field well,” he said.

Iqbal said performance of openers Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood with Azhar Ali and Umar Amin should be consistent to back Younis and Misbah.

“If our batting clicks and spinners deliver against the powerful Proteas then Pakistan have a fair chance of beating them,” he remarked.

“It is not an easy task but a big challenge and a combined team effort is needed to face batsmen like Smith, Amla, Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Duminy and du Plessis,” he stressed.

“If we have Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqar Babar and Abdur Rehman in our side, South Africa have Imran Tahir and Robin Peterson who could trouble Pakistan batsmen,” he added.

Iqbal said leg-spinner Imran Tahir could pose threat to Pakistani batsmen.

“At the moment, Pakistan don’t have quality leg-spinners in domestic circuit so our batsmen can face some testing moments against Imran,” he said.

He said handling the pressure would also be very important for Pakistan team. “Pakistan must forget the Test series whitewash [they suffered earlier this year] at the hands of South Africa,” he said.