CRICKET Pakistan Tour Could Be “Disastrous Flop”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 20

CRICKET Pakistan Tour Could Be “Disastrous Flop”

(Special Correspondent W-ZJ’ul.J

LONDON, April 17.

"The tour that English cricket does not want” is how Alex Bannister of the “Daily Mail" describes the visit to England this summer of a Pakistan team. “Having seen Pakistan fail in its own favourable conditions to beat Ted Dexter’s reinforced second eleven last winter I find it inconceivable that the side can win here,” says Bannister. “The result of the series, however, matters not at all. Pakistan’s main difficulty might well be to understand the extent of intolerance of bad cricket in England where we are now suffering from hangover conscience after an orgy of slow play. Methods Denounced “Selectors, players and the public have joined in a denunciation of methods which, not so long ago, were applauded for the success they brought.’* Bannister says the Pakistan tour will be a disastrous flop unless the team plays bright, attacking cricket from the first ball. “Pakistan is not being asked to do something beyond its natural powers. But the team is being invited to join with England in playing

cricket in the best spirit merely by hitting the ball. “Pakistan can be assured that if England’s batsmen do not play their part they will not only be severely criticised but dumped from the test side.”