Skipper Shan Masood lamented the team’s inability to secure a win after a disheartening defeat to England in the first Test in Multan, where they failed to capitalize on a strong first-innings total of 550. England triumphed by an innings and 47 runs.
The defeat marked Pakistan’s sixth consecutive loss in Test cricket.
It is worth noting that Pakistan is the first team in 147 years in the history of Tests to lose by an innings after scoring 500 runs.
Reflecting on the match, Masood noted, “We’ve spoken about the third innings or fourth innings, but at the end of the day, it’s a team game. Everything has its advantages or repercussions as a team. When you put up 550 on the board, it’s important to back it up with 10 wickets.”
Despite managing only 220 runs in their second innings, the hosts struggled to dismiss England’s batsmen, ultimately falling short.
With Abrar Ahmed sidelined on Day 5, Pakistan’s bowlers couldn’t find a way to penetrate England’s batting lineup.
Masood noted the need for his side to adapt and improve.
“England found a way to get those 20 wickets. We also have to find a way to do that. That’s the challenge a side has to go forward,” he stated in the post-match presentation.
The captain expressed frustration over the team’s performance, stating, “We’re obviously hurt by the results, hurt as a nation. I never try and shy away from responsibility. What hurts is that we’re not getting the results that Pakistan cricket deserves. We are trying to turn it around.”
As the fourth day concluded with Pakistan at 152 for 6, Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal faced the daunting task of avoiding an innings defeat.
The duo initially struggled but managed to score 39 runs, winning the first hour after the drinks break. However, the momentum shifted when Jack Leach struck, dismissing Salman for a low score.
Despite Jamal’s aggressive fifty, he was eventually caught by Ollie Pope after being given a reprieve.
Leach continued to shine for England, securing the final wickets of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to seal the victory and give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series.
