Pakistan’s Test cricket captain, Shan Masood, expressed his joy at breaking a streak of six consecutive defeats by securing a series victory over England. At a post-match press conference, Masood highlighted the resilience of his players and emphasized the significance of teamwork in achieving this success.
Reflecting on the match conditions, he noted that while Pakistani pitches haven’t always favored spin bowling, the team must learn to adapt to various playing environments. “To be among the top Test teams, we need to take 20 wickets in all conditions and score runs,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges presented by the Test Championship format, which includes both home and away series.
When asked about the performance of his opening batsmen, Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq, Masood urged for a more constructive approach to critique. “If you focus on negativity despite the victory, what should be the response? This is a team sport,” he stressed, underscoring the need for unity and support within the squad.
He explained that the team’s strategy involved preparing pitches conducive to fast bowling for the match against Bangladesh, while adapting to spinning conditions at home. Masood praised the batsmen for their sacrifices and commended the bowlers for successfully taking 20 wickets during the series.
Addressing the struggles of the opening pair, he stated, “Openers have scored the lowest runs since the start of the Test Championship. Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq are our future; if we don’t support our players, the team will keep changing frequently.”
On team selection, Masood revealed that following the initial defeat, the coaching staff and selectors convened to make important decisions. He credited the new selection committee for bringing back 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.”
Stokes Disappointed by Consecutive Losses
Meanwhile, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes expressed disappointment over his team’s back-to-back losses to Pakistan, resulting in a series defeat. In a post-match interview, Stokes reflected on the difficulties faced in the last two matches, acknowledging that the team fell short of expectations.
“Our last two matches were not good,” Stokes said, emphasizing the need for the team to regroup. “Now our focus will be on the New Zealand series, where we aim to learn from our mistakes.”
Stokes, who has been in continuous play for an extended period, added that losing two matches in a row, especially after winning the first Test, is disheartening. “It’s tough to lose like this, but we must learn and improve,” he remarked.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Stokes praised the Pakistan team for their performance, acknowledging their ability to capitalize on opportunities and adapt to the conditions, which ultimately led to their success in the series.
