Hafeez confident Pak team will 'bounce back and win' remaining ODIs against England

Islamabad, Feb 17 (ANI): Pakistan opener and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has expressed confidence about the team's ability to bounce back and win the remaining one-day internationals after England, despite the latter taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Hafeez said batting under lights was difficult, but admitted Pakistan could not carry out the same winning performance, which it did against England prior to the ODIs.

"The ball was seaming more and was spinning a bit more later. England bowled really well. It became a bit difficult batting second. We were definitely thinking of coming harder in the ODIs as well. Credit goes to the England team. They really played good cricket. And Cook has played a solid knock in the last two ODIs," The Express Tribune quoted Hafeez, as saying.

"We can still come back hard because we believe in our team. We have a lot of match-winners in our side and anybody can come in and win the game for Pakistan," Hafeez, who has scored five and 26 in the first two matches, added.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said the national cricket team is making a fool of itself in the ongoing one-day series against England in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"They have made a fool and joke out of themselves in the first two matches. And if they do not improve quickly, I fear they could lose the series 4-0," Shoaib said after Pakistan suffered second straight defeat in the four-match series on Wednesday.

Akhtar also slammed captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who led Pakistan to a stunning 3-0 whitewash against England in the Test series, for failing to be 'strict with the players'.

"Misbah needs to be more strict with the players. The way Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi got out today, I think Misbah needs to tell them what is expected of them as senior players. When Umar was batting and trying needless strokes, what was Misbah doing? He should have spoken to him. If Misbah doesn't get strict and press the red button I don't think we can win this series," Shoaib added. (ANI)