Pakistan Batting Not Aggressive Like India's: Asif Iqbal

Pakistan have somehow managed to reach the quarter-finals of World Cup 2015, but the qualification did not come without some major hiccups. Out of their six group matches, they managed to breach the 300-run mark only once, against minnows United Arab Emirates. Pakistan's shoddy middle-order suffered miserably against India, South Africa and the less potent attacks of West Indies and Zimbabwe. Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal is far from impressed and urged the 1992 champions to learn from the world's batting powerhouses.(Misbah Says Pressure Now on Australia)

"To be honest, Pakistan hasn't batted like the rest of the teams that are participating in this tournament. One can see that the rest of the teams are batting with an aggressive intent and have been scoring 300+ runs quite frequently. It's not just the score but the manner in which they are attacking the bowling is also worth some thought. So we have examples of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and India who look to be aggressive in the way they bat," Iqbal told www.pakpassion.net.(Who Plays Who in Quarters)

"This is one shortcoming that Pakistan batting is suffering from. Pakistan's batting in the World Cup suffers from lack of aggression. Not in a single game so far have we seen the aggression that is required in the modern One Day game. Remember that aggression is not about wild slogging, it's about the body language and intent. These are both missing from Pakistan so far."(We Can Win the World Cup, Claims Misbah)

Pakistan's top-order has been hampered with the absence of Mohammad Hafeez, who was ruled out after an injury. The indifferent form of the rest of the middle-order has not helped and the onus has been on skipper Misbah-ul-Hq, who has slammed four fifties in six matches to aggregate 316 runs. However, he has often been criticized for this slow approach that may have cost Pakistan more runs. What has also not helped is Younis Khan's flop show. The veteran was chosen for his experience but clearly the selection has been futile.(Fake Expert Dupes News Channel)

However, the batting has started to look a lot better with the inclusion of Sarfraz Ahmed. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 49 against South Africa and cracked his maiden hundred against Ireland to bolster Pakistan's batting. Iqbal said Sarfraz's presence has given Pakistan's top-order the much needed impetus.(Australia Set to Launch Bouncer Barrage, Warns Cummins)

"Sarfraz was asked to open in the last two matches against South Africa and Ireland and has performed very well. It was his performance that gave our innings a good start. Whilst in the game against South Africa he should have got a lot more than what he ended up with, he did play well today and stayed until the end to get his hundred which is great.

Overall from the team's point of view, good starts to the innings make a big difference and that's the kind of beginning we are hoping for in the Quarter-Finals so that we can put up a good score," Iqbal said.(Shouldn't Risk Irfan if he is Not Fit: Asif)