After enduring a streak of six consecutive defeats, Pakistan's Test cricket captain Shan Masood expressed his elation at finally securing a series victory against England.
Speaking at a press conference following the match, Masood credited the win to the resilience of the Pakistani players and stressed the importance of team effort.
Reflecting on the match conditions, Masood noted that the pitches in Pakistan have not always been conducive to spin bowling, but the team must adapt to various playing environments to succeed.
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“To be among the top Test teams, we need to take 20 wickets in all conditions and also ensure we score runs,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges posed by the Test Championship format, which includes three home and three away series.
When questioned about the performance of his opening batsmen, Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq, Masood urged for a more constructive critique. “If you will talk negatively despite the victory, what should be the answer? This is not an individual sport; it’s a team game,” he stated, underscoring the importance of unity and support within the squad.
Masood pointed out that the team’s strategy involved preparing pitches that favoured fast bowling against Bangladesh while adapting to spinning conditions at home. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by the batsmen and praised the bowlers for successfully claiming 20 wickets during the series.
The captain also addressed the struggles of openers, stating, “Since the start of the Test Championship, the lowest runs have been scored by openers. Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq are our future; if we do not support our players, the team will continue to see frequent changes.”
On the topic of team selection, Masood revealed that after the initial match defeat, the coaching staff and selectors convened to make crucial decisions. He credited the new selection committee for their efforts, which included the return of spin bowlers Sajid Khan and Noman Ali to the squad.
Concluding the press conference, Masood downplayed concerns about the match finishing on the third day, stating, “It doesn’t matter if the match ends on the first day; we just have to win.”
Ben Stokes disappointed after consecutive losses
Meanwhile, England Test captain Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment following his team's consecutive losses to Pakistan, resulting in a series defeat. In a post-match interview, Stokes reflected on the challenges faced in the last two matches, emphasizing that they did not meet expectations.
"Our last two matches were not good," Stokes remarked, acknowledging the team's need to regroup. "Now our focus will be on the New Zealand series, where we aim to overcome our mistakes."
Stokes, who has been playing cricket continuously for an extended period, noted that losing two matches in a row, especially after winning the first Test, is never a good feeling. "It’s tough to lose like this, but we have to learn and improve," he added.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Stokes praised the Pakistan team for their performance, stating, "The Pakistan team played good cricket." He recognized their ability to capitalize on opportunities and adapt to the conditions, which ultimately led to their success in the series.
