Pak players lack commitment: Richards

Pakistan have failed to make it to the top of world cricket because its players lack dedication, said former South African Barry Richards.

Pakistan have failed to make it to the top of world cricket because its players lack commitment and dedication, said former South African opener Barry Richards, currently in the country for a brief coaching assignment.

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"I give Pakistan 10 out of 10 as far as the talent is concerned, but six out of 10 for dedication and commitment," Richards told reporters after visiting the national training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore soon after his arrival on Wednesday.

The former batsman is in Pakistan on a week-long assignment at the National Cricket Academy where he is to give tips to youngsters as well as the national squad, preparing for the Asia Cup tournament starting next week in Sri Lanka.

Richards said the way Pakistan lost the recent home series to India, reflected the lack of competitive spirit in its players.

"The home team was unlucky that it could not win the closely fought series, but the defeat could be attributed to lack of competitive spirit in the cricketers," he was quoted as saying in local daily Dawn.

It is the competitive spirit which has made Australia the number one team in the world, he added.