No need to apologise, Moin says of Pakistan performance

**Unsaid words** · 18-09-2013, 12:46 AM

Pakistan’s manager, Moin Khan, said Misbah-ul-Haq’s men did not need to apologise to the fans after their humiliating loss to Zimbabwe in the second Test at Harare.

The shock loss, which leveled the Test series 1-1, according to the former captain and wicket-keeper was more as a result of Pakistan not being able to adjust to the conditions in Zimbabwe rather than anything apocalyptic as some former players have suggested.

“I don't think our level is falling,” Moin said. “I think the conditions suited Zimbabwe team more than us. In both the matches that we lost (one-day and Test) we played badly. We didn't bat well in the second Test, but overall I would say that our performance was satisfactory.

“No, no need to apologise. We didn't lose the series. It was 1-1 and we won the T20 and one-day series.”

Former fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar had claimed the level of cricket in Pakistan was at its lowest after the loss.

“We have hit rock bottom as a cricket nation,” Akhtar said.

“If we can't beat Zimbabwe then we are going to face a torrid time against South Africa,” former Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed said of the upcoming tour.

But Moin defended the team saying, he did not want to “demoralize” players and take measures to boost the confidence.

“I won't say that he is consistently failing,” he said when asked about vice-captain Mohammad Hafeez’s flailing form in Tests.

“He did well in the T20s and one-dayers. He is a good performer but his batting was not good in Tests but he is keen and will try to regain his form.”

Moin also backed coach Dav Whatmore to come good.

“It was not in my domain to plan things,” he said.

“Everyone makes mistakes and I am sure that Whatmore will be doing his best to overcome those mistakes. When you lose to a team like Zimbabwe you learn a lot of lessons.”