Pakistan cricket team's batting coach Grant Flower believes that the side's best is yet to come from their batting line-up and has called on the team to deliver or else suffer an upset in the Cricket World Cup, ahead of their crunch tie against Ireland on Sunday.
With both teams on three wins from five matches, the winner would advance to the quarterfinals, while the loser's fate would likely be decided by run-rates against the West Indies.
Pakistan's batsmen have crossed 250 just once in the tournament when they hammered 339 for six against cricket minnows, the United Arab Emirates, at Napier. Misbah-ul Haq's team were bowled out for 224 by India, 160 by the West Indies and 222 by South Africa, and were even restricted to 235 for seven by Zimbabwe, Sport24 reported.
Flower, the former Zimbabwean batsman who joined the Pakistan team management a year ago, said that another meagre total could mean the end of the campaign. He insisted that he would like to believe that their best is yet to come, adding that if they don't, then he doesn't believe they would go much further in the tournament.
Flower said that he does expect the batsmen to deliver, adding that that is what they are there for. He claimed that they can bat a lot better than they have.
Pakistan revived their faltering campaign with a stunning 29-run win over South Africa in a rain-effected match in Auckland after the bowlers dismissed AB de Villiers' men for 202.
Misbah has been the lone batsman to play consistently, making four half-centuries in the five matches so far.
Flower said that he wants the batsmen to show an aggressive intent and is even making them play big shots at training. He claimed that it's usually a flat wicket at the Adelaide Oval and the side boundaries are smaller than usual, so he added that it does help to get some big shots going.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
