Semi-berth seems tough for Pakistan now: Imran

Karachi, Mar 15 (UNI) Pakistan's former greats including World Cup winning captain Imran Khan feels the defeat against hosts West Indies in the lung opener would make it very difficult for the team to progress into the semifinals of the World Cup.

''The defeat against West Indies is not an unexpected one. Still the team will qualify for the second round but making the last four seems a tough task,'' said legendary allrounder Imran Khan.

Imran blamed the batsmen for the debacle and held team management responsible for the loss against West Indies. ''The coach must accept the continued failure of our openers and that was the main reason for the defeat,''he was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times.

Even Javed Miandad, one of Pakistan's best batsman till date, blamed poor planning and lack of motivation for the defeat but hoped the batsmen will turn it around in the matches to come.

''All is not lost yet. But the team, specially the batsmen will have to show grit and determination in the remaining matches for success. In my opinion lack of planning was the key factor against West Indies,'' Miandad said.

Pakistan were bundled out for 187 all out after West Indies posted a healthy total of 241.

Former great Zaheer Abbas trained his guns on coach Bob Woolmer, blaming him for failing to prepare any plan and inability to find a reliable opening pair. ''The high-profile and handsomely paid coach must take the major share of blame.

''He had been given enough time--three years..but he failed to deliver. Each time the team lost he forwarded some new excuses,'' said Zaheer Abbas.

Former national chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed also felt it would be a huge task for Pakistan to make the semifinals and put the blame on selection committee and coach for the drubbing against West Indies.

''The openers once again let the team down and the selectors and coach should be answerable for not finding a dependable pair in three years,'' said Salahuddin.

UNI