'Slow over rates could cost series'

Javed Miandad has called on his players to be more disciplined in maintaining their over rates, warning them failure to do so could cost them the ODI series against South Africa.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad has called on his players to be more disciplined in maintaining their over rates, warning them failure to do so could cost them the one-day series against South Africa.

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"We now have to take this issue very seriously," Miandad told Reuters on Wednesday. "It cost us the match on Tuesday. If we don't find a solution and don't get more disciplined the over rates will start playing on our minds more than the match itself."

South Africa handed Pakistan their first defeat in eight matches on Tuesday, winning by 13 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis formula after bad light ended play with Pakistan having failed to complete their 50 overs in the stipulated time.

South Africa were 221 for six after 45 overs, chasing 244 for victory when bad light ended play.

The Pakistan coach said there was not enough attention paid to the over rate at the domestic level in Pakistan.

"Our players graduate to international cricket without realising its importance," he said. "In other countries maintaining the required over rate is part of their cricket culture from the grass root level and they don't face problems."

The Pakistan team were docked 10 per cent of their match fee due to a slow over rate in the second match in Lahore.

The teams play two more one-dayers on Friday and Sunday in Rawalpindi. Pakistan lead the series 2-1.