Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur insists Junaid Khan’s no-balls during the third ODI against Australia are not a trend but were a mistake.
“He’s not such much of a serial offender,” Arthur said during a press conference on Friday, cricket.com.au reported.
The coach, however, admitted the left-arm pacer’s untimely no-ball in Thursday’s Perth ODI cost the team dearly.
Australia should have been three down at 46 after debutant batsman Peter Handscomb was caught at slip in the 11th over off Junaid’s delivery, when his score was zero. Handscomb, however, was allowed a brand new life when replays showed Junaid had overstepped the mark.
Four overs later, Junaid bowled another no-ball and saw Handscomb get dropped at point.Arthur admitted that Pakistan cannot afford to commit such simple errors if they are to have any chance of winning against the hosts.
“Junaid was battling into the Fremantle Doctor (breeze) a little bit, so that caused him to over stride. But it’s still no excuse. We’ve got to be keeping our foot behind the line,” he said.
Pakistan, who are down 1-2 in the five-match ODI series, will play the fourth ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. Agencies