Shoaib frustrates Intikhab

Shoaib's bowling has been wayward so far in this series

Former Pakistan Test captain Intikhab Alam has criticised fast bowler Shoaib Aktar's performances in the current one-day series against India.

Shoaib sent down 14 wides in the third game on Sunday in Lahore which Pakistan lost.

"He has shown no aptitude for line and length and seems to be concentrating only on speed," Intikhab said.

All the Pakistani seam bowlers have been guilty, with a combined total of 58 wides and 40 no-balls so far.

Extras anger Pakistan coach

Intikhab said the other three pacemen, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Abdul Razzaq, were following Akhtar's example, adding to the problems.

"Shoaib is the most experienced of these fast bowlers, he should have set an example for them," Alam said.

"In one-dayers, maintaining a wicket-to-wicket line is most important for a bowler.

Saqlain Mustaq has not featured in the one-day series so far

Intikhab also suggested that the Pakistan management did not research India's recent performances before the series.

"A bit of pre-tour homework would have made it clear that this Indian team's top four batsmen cannot be threatened by speed.

"We seemed to have paid no heed to India's performances on the recent tour to Australia where their. batsmen scored plenty of runs on the fast and bouncy tracks."

The former Pakistan manager also felt it was a major mistake not to play veteran off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who was left out of the team in all games.

"Not only would he have troubled the Indian batsmen, but Saqlain's disciplined line of attack would have been an example for others," he said.