After a third sub-200 score in the series left them on the brink, Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed lamented his batting line-up’s struggles following the second day of the Lord’s Test against England. Sarfaraz admitted that it was an area of concern for the visitors, who crashed to 110 in their first innings following totals of 171 and 135 in Leeds where they suffered an innings defeat.
“See you can’t shy away from the fact that our team is getting bowled out in 30 or 35 overs,” Sarfaraz said. “Obviously we have discussed this and the batters also have an idea about the fact that we are not spending enough time on the pitch.
“Yes, conditions are definitely challenging for the batters but whichever batter spends more time in the middle and plays 30 to 40 balls [will benefit]. The first 30-40 balls are difficult but if we can get past that, we will be in a better position,” he said, citing opener Azan Awais, who faced 102 balls for his 46, as an example.
“Azan also handled the pressure well initially and then played some very good shots later,” Sarfaraz said. “So I think the first hour, the first 40 or 50 balls, you need to play with good technique.”
While accepting that Pakistan’s batting unit was “not up to the mark”, Sarfaraz lauded the 21-year old Awais for the manner in which he tackled a feisty Jofra Archer spell early on.
“I think hats off to Azan Awais. The way that boy handled that spell [from Archer], I think it’s very good for him and his career. He batted at a crucial time and faced quality bowling. As a batter, it will be a big boost for him,” Sarfaraz said, while going on to praise England’s bowling and catching.
Sarfaraz said that Pakistan have also looked to tailor their playing combination in accordance with their batting woes, although it hasn’t reflected in terms of returns.
“If you talk about this Test match and the first Test, we could not bat well. We bowled a lot better in this match but there is definitely a concern over our batting. Because of this, we try to play a combination such that our batting is strong. But unfortunately even in this innings we could not bat well,” he added.
Sarfaraz refused to put it down to the lack of red ball cricket over the last year, at a time when Pakistan played more T20 cricket in light of an Asia Cup and a World Cup, even as he cited that as a factor.
“It is a big factor. Last year, we played nearly 40 or 50 T20 games. But I won’t say that is the reason – as professional players, we need to adjust [between formats].”
Pakistan currently have their backs to the wall, with England’s lead reading 261 in conditions that have favoured the bowlers. But while acknowledging that he would take responsibility if the results do not come, Sarfaraz remained hopeful of a miraculous turnaround on Day 3.
“I am still hopeful. A lot of unexpected things happen in cricket,” he said. “If we can bowl them out within the next 70-80 runs and chase a target under 350, you never know.”
Leave a Reply