Pakistan lost the first Test against England because of senseless batting

[Kaka4pope]

Shan, Abid and Asad - all of their 2nd innings dismissals were poor cricket, nothing to do with pressure or a technical deficiency and it’s cost Pakistan most...other wickets at least batsmen were got out.

Other things you can accept but those three moments you have to ask why? Abid’s was probably the worst...

[Energy]

Is it a surprise? No.

Did we see it coming with Azhar and Asad? For a long time.

What is the management going to do about it? Wait, watch and then nothing.

[Jeetlodil]

Poor bowling and captaincy. Batting put you in a winning position. It was for the bowlers to finish

[aloo paratha]

Yeah I don't think anybody thought otherwise. Abid, Azhar, Babar and Asad all gave their wickets away in the 2nd innings. Shan as well but he got a bit unlucky and he scored 150 in the first innings so he gets a pass. Only Shadab and Rizwan fell to good deliveries.

[Kaka4pope]

Is it a surprise? No.

Did we see it coming with Azhar and Asad? For a long time.

What is the management going to do about it? Wait, watch and then nothing.

Those long time ones are technical - I’m not referring to those, it’s the 3 dismissals that are not technique related - the run out and Abid’s shot were greedy, no need for either. Shan as well, given a break because of the 150 but he wasn’t even strangled down the leg side, just helped it on to the keeper.

[Swing]

Our bowling wasn't up to the mark at all but the second innings batting was just shameful. If we had set them 320-330 to make we'd have defended it even with this bowling.

[Thunderbolt14]

Shadab’s first innings dismissal as well.

[AamchiMumbaikar]

117/5 says HI!

[Kaka4pope]

Yeah I don't think anybody thought otherwise. Abid, Azhar, Babar and Asad all gave their wickets away in the 2nd innings. Shan as well but he got a bit unlucky and he scored 150 in the first innings so he gets a pass. Only Shadab and Rizwan fell to good deliveries.

Again, Babar and Azhar fell to deliveries - Abid got himself out to a harmless ball, he had to do a lot to get himself out. Don’t think Shan’s was unlucky...presented it to the keeper, caught napping.

[AdamM97]

Yasir Shah showed his determination and experience here. Azhar Ali has completely lost his touch and is clueless when it comes to captaincy. Asad Shafiq was a bit unlucky during that run-out but has also been disappointing this match.

[Kaka4pope]

Shadab’s first innings dismissal as well.

That too, although he was going on as he started at least and shifted the game - 2nd innings ones, the impact from any of the three - Shan, Abid, run out - were yet to come.

[Abdullah]

We had one the game twice. Once when shafiq and Rizwan were batting, and once when we got out 5th wicket today.
Our quicks ran out of steam and woakes and butler played well to counterattack.

We should have won in spite of the batting

[asadee]

Any decent side and captain would have defended 270. Mindless captaincy with no plan B when they got aggressive

[Kaka4pope]

117/5 says HI!

Winning situation for sure but the most basic/fundamental errors, that were avoidable, were when batting 2nd time around. No demons in the pitch, Shan/Abid were casual at best - both looked like they could handle it otherwise. The run out is similar.

[Kaka4pope]

Any decent side and captain would have defended 270. Mindless captaincy with no plan B when they got aggressive

I think we all know Azhars deficiencies as a skipper going into the test, and some use to mock Sarfraz...who simply had too many roles at once (not saying for his return, Rizwan is good keeper, albeit a 7 bat)

[Kaka4pope]

Yasir Shah showed his determination and experience here. Azhar Ali has completely lost his touch and is clueless when it comes to captaincy. Asad Shafiq was a bit unlucky during that run-out but has also been disappointing this match.

I don’t see where the hard luck is for the run out - run wasn’t on, don’t take it...

[Runner Up]

Overconfidence. They thought they made enough runs in first innings. They take things for granted always and this is what happened in first test. Don't think they will learn anything from this match as this is what's been going in since ages.

[Kaka4pope]

Any decent side and captain would have defended 270. Mindless captaincy with no plan B when they got aggressive

This was known before the test - Azhars batting is also timid these days, comfortably the most out of sorts

[Kaka4pope]

Overconfidence. They thought they made enough runs in first innings. They take things for granted always and this is what happened in first test. Don't think they will learn anything from this match as this is what's been going in since ages.

Hoping Younis gives them a dressing down, those 3 dismissals are poor at any level of cricket, none are youngsters either.

[Azrim_91]

Poor bowling and captaincy. Batting put you in a winning position. It was for the bowlers to finish

Poor bowling? A bit harsh. The wicket wasn’t that bad and tbh other than that small period before tea the Bowlers have bowled well. It was shoddy captaincy in rotating bowlers and our awful awful (*insert all the galliah here*) batting.

[Kaka4pope]

We had one the game twice. Once when shafiq and Rizwan were batting, and once when we got out 5th wicket today.
Our quicks ran out of steam and woakes and butler played well to counterattack.

We should have won in spite of the batting

Maybe but as you the quicks ran out of steam - the three poorest pieces of cricket were those dismissals and they cost heavily as the situation was positive at all 3 stages.

[Fahdi]

No getting around it. We still had a good total and got in a winning position with England 117/5 but the poor display gave England the chance. Things would have been very different with a 300+ lead.

[Kaka4pope]

No getting around it. We still had a good total and got in a winning position with England 117/5 but the poor display gave England the chance. Things would have been very different with a 300+ lead.

Agreed and if Anderson/Archer had gone to town on us I would’ve said fair enough but it wasn’t the case - those 3 dismissals were incredibly soft.

[shah_1]

Overrated bowling up and minnow leve, batting.

[Jeetlodil]

Poor bowling? A bit harsh. The wicket wasn’t that bad and tbh other than that small period before tea the Bowlers have bowled well. It was shoddy captaincy in rotating bowlers and our awful awful (*insert all the galliah here*) batting.

Barring Yasir, in parts others have looked good.

Abbas only good with the new ball.

The other 2 should not be playing test cricket. It needs experience even if first class. See how much England bowled Bess in the last series and this.

[Vantage]

Did you not watch the game? It wasn’t just the bowling- We lost it when our batting collapsed yesterday for 169 giving England a sniff.
We are led by a captain who should not be in charge, who’s form is shambolic and the rest of the batting, aside from Babar is more club level.
I cannot see the batting doing any better unless they decide to tough it out rather than fold so meekly.

[Ahmed_99]

It's a mental problem. As soon as the situation gets a bit tough and the pressure starts building, we just can't seem to battle it out.

We've seen what happens when we were on the other side chasing a couple of yrs ago against New Zealand in the UAE. We had that game secured too but threw it away as soon as the pressure built.

It's just frustrating since overall we played well for the last few days. Quick turn around of matches so let's hope the players can rest and they can lift each other

[Jeetlodil]

Maybe but as you the quicks ran out of steam - the three poorest pieces of cricket were those dismissals and they cost heavily as the situation was positive at all 3 stages.

No bouncers to Woakes shows inexperience and lack of cohesiveness in bowling unit. Amazing bowlers did not know it. Someone should have done it or asked someone to do it. Even a batsman could have gone to the bowlers and said. Bowl a bouncer.

[Local.Dada]

I don’t think Pakistan expected a 100+ run lead after the first innings, so they absolutely panicked and couldn’t decide on an approach to build a total once they saw it. It’s as simple as it sounds.

[Kaka4pope]

It's a mental problem. As soon as the situation gets a bit tough and the pressure starts building, we just can't seem to battle it out.

We've seen what happens when we were on the other side chasing a couple of yrs ago against New Zealand in the UAE. We had that game secured too but threw it away as soon as the pressure built.

It's just frustrating since overall we played well for the last few days. Quick turn around of matches so let's hope the players can rest and they can lift each other

Didn’t think there was pressure with the dismissals in question - it was absence of it which makes then inexcusable - Abid was reasonably set and Shan maybe snoozed?

[Kaka4pope]

Did you not watch the game? It wasn’t just the bowling- We lost it when our batting collapsed yesterday for 169 giving England a sniff.
We are led by a captain who should not be in charge, who’s form is shambolic and the rest of the batting, aside from Babar is more club level.
I cannot see the batting doing any better unless they decide to tough it out rather than fold so meekly.

? Thread is about senseless batting.

[Markhor]

All Pakistan needed to do in their 2nd innings is match England's 1st innings total.

But I repeat for the 200th time, how can you have a Test batting lineup relying entirely on two batsmen in Shan Masood and Babar Azam ?

Dismiss those two and there's nothing else there. Abid Ali is unproven in away conditions (though has merited a run given his start to his career), Azhar Ali averages 12 overseas in the last 3 years, Asad Shafiq is good for one knock per series, and Mohammed Rizwan has a dodgy technique against swing.

[Ramsay]

Someone should have anchored the innings. I expected Bobby Azam to make amends of the mistake in the first innings. But, he flopped miserably. Another 15-30 runs would have made a huge difference.

[King_Kohli]

Sarfaraz ahmed right now

[Kaka4pope]

All Pakistan needed to do in their 2nd innings is match England's 1st innings total.

But I repeat for the 200th time, how can you have a Test batting lineup relying entirely on two batsmen in Shan Masood and Babar Azam ?

Dismiss those two and there's nothing else there. Abid Ali is unproven in away conditions (though has merited a run given his start to his career), Azhar Ali averages 12 overseas in the last 3 years, Asad Shafiq is good for one knock per series, and Mohammed Rizwan has a dodgy technique against swing.

Agree on the over reliance, Abid looked alright against the bowling in the main - but both he and Shans wickets 2nd time around were senseless - Shan caught napping, Abid maybe greedy or over confident - it was a terrible shot to a nothing ball.

The run out speaks for itself

[Ahmed_99]

Shan was unlucky. But after that first wicket fell, it was just important that we were cautious considering England had their tails up with that early wicket.

Abid felt a bit uncomfortable after one ball from Bess which had a bit of extra bounce and then next ball played that shot. I feel like we wanted to over commit when in hindsight we didn't need to. England bowled well after that but we almost were expected to put the game to bed and we ended up crumbling because of that.

Look there's a few days till the next match so let's just hope they can learn from their mistakes

[Kaka4pope]

Shan was unlucky. But after that first wicket fell, it was just important that we were cautious considering England had their tails up with that early wicket.

Abid felt a bit uncomfortable after one ball from Bess which had a bit of extra bounce and then next ball played that shot. I feel like we wanted to over commit when in hindsight we didn't need to. England bowled well after that but we almost were expected to put the game to bed and we ended up crumbling because of that.

Look there's a few days till the next match so let's just hope they can learn from their mistakes

I do feel that’s being kind, was watching the second innings and the Abid dismissal really sticks out, for an SC batsman to do that against spin. Also, Masood, his hallmark is calm under pressure, which he was throughout all the various re-starts first innings - don’t see his second dismissal as luck though.

[Fahdi]

Shan, Abid and Asad - all of their 2nd innings dismissals were poor cricket, nothing to do with pressure or a technical deficiency and it’s cost Pakistan most...other wickets at least batsmen were got out.

Other things you can accept but those three moments you have to ask why? Abid’s was probably the worst...

I would like to point out that in my opinion Abid Ali's dismissal was due to a technical issue at least in part. The ball was turning big and Abid sought to negate it by sweeping, I think he had the right idea but it was poorly executed. The technical issue was with the angle of the blade, on Pakistani pitches that would have been a safe shot but on pitches with more bounce that can result in a top edge. This is something I have heard being discussed by ex players, sub continent players have to learn to get on top of the bounce when sweeping on these pitches.

[gibsyhesperis]

I have been watching Pakistani cricket since 1974. The batting has always been the issue — gtreat quicks, occasional mercurial spinners but really a handful of truly world class batsmen with decent records outside the subcontinent.
This side has one very good player (Babar) and then a variety of capable, but not world class players.
It was ever thus

[Artaxerxes]

Overrated bowling up and minnow level, batting.

Pakistan batting is brittle,it has been for a long time but bowling is not bad.Don't forget Shaheen and Naseem have not played any tests in England.They have not played much cricket.England apart from Pope and Bess have been playing test cricket for donkeys years.In English conditions even Australia find it tough.No need to get too disappointed.

[Local.Dada]

Pakistan fans have a habit of blaming batsmen and shielding bowlers from every loss.

If you can’t defend nearly 300 days on a 4th/5th day pitch that is closer to your home conditions with 2 spinners and 3 so called talented fast bowlers then what else can the batsman do?

I will confidently wage a bet that India,England,Nzl,SA and surprisingly even Srilanka and WI could have defended this total on this pitch .

[Ahmed_99]

I do feel that’s being kind, was watching the second innings and the Abid dismissal really sticks out, for an SC batsman to do that against spin. Also, Masood, his hallmark is calm under pressure, which he was throughout all the various re-starts first innings - don’t see his second dismissal as luck though.

In the end, whatever way they got out, the early wickets was the problem in the 2nd innings. You do expect your top 5 to score the bulk of the runs and if they don't, then more often than not you lose the game.

Regardless, 270 odd could have been defended especially after having them for 120-5.

I just hope they've learnt a lot from this game. We can perform well as seen in the first innings so they should try and build on the positives

[Markhor]

I would like to point out that in my opinion Abid Ali's dismissal was due to a technical issue at least in part. The ball was turning big and Abid sought to negate it by sweeping, I think he had the right idea but it was poorly executed. The technical issue was with the angle of the blade, on Pakistani pitches that would have been a safe shot but on pitches with more bounce that can result in a top edge. This is something I have heard being discussed by ex players, sub continent players have to learn to get on top of the bounce when sweeping on these pitches.

And again that comes down to our pathetic, disgusting (insert whatever curse you wanna use) domestic pitches.

Why is it possible for humans to put a man on the moon but impossible for Pakistani groundsmen to prepare bouncy wickets so our cricketers can adjust to playing on bouncy wickets ?

Why ?!

[Oneking]

Sorry for me it was the captaincy, it’s Azhar’S fault, the man is just a messenger between coach and players, he has no leadership skills. At the end of the game Wasim pointed out Azhar should walk up to bowlers and have talk, he should have also stopped YAsir from bowling on leg side when Butler came to bat, the pitch was nesty and they had enough runs on board to defend, they should have kept things simple and continue to attack. Also bowling changes were delayed, should have had quick changes 5 overs spell from quicks and continue to attack with Yasir.

[sindhiboy]

Pakistan fans have a habit of blaming batsmen and shielding bowlers from every loss.

If you can’t defend nearly 300 days on a 4th/5th day pitch that is closer to your home conditions with 2 spinners and 3 so called talented fast bowlers then what else can the batsman do?

I will confidently wage a bet that India,England,Nzl,SA and surprisingly even Srilanka and WI could have defended this total on this pitch .

One poster told me a few months back Naseem will rip apart england.

You can't win with 2 teenagers in your bowling attack. You need experience to win overseas.

Indian, aussie and saffers would have made use of the uneven bounce

[Hasan123]

All we had to do was get to a lead of 300 and we messed that up.

[jfwalker]

No way mate...you can't start every test match playing with 9 men...Azar and Asad don't count

[Oneking]

Lmao that’s funny

[maddgenius]

We lost because of pathetic captaincy

[Ab Fan]

You have away easy runs through poor fielding.

[Fahdi]

And again that comes down to our pathetic, disgusting (insert whatever curse you wanna use) domestic pitches.

Why is it possible for humans to put a man on the moon but impossible for Pakistani groundsmen to prepare bouncy wickets so our cricketers can adjust to playing on bouncy wickets ?

Why ?!

Well for one it needs money and then groundstaff educated in the mechanics of soils. Neither of which we have a lot of.

[shaz619]

All Pakistan needed to do in their 2nd innings is match England's 1st innings total.

But I repeat for the 200th time, how can you have a Test batting lineup relying entirely on two batsmen in Shan Masood and Babar Azam ?

Dismiss those two and there's nothing else there. Abid Ali is unproven in away conditions (though has merited a run given his start to his career), Azhar Ali averages 12 overseas in the last 3 years, Asad Shafiq is good for one knock per series, and Mohammed Rizwan has a dodgy technique against swing.

I agree their batting could have been a lot better in the 2nd innings, but I'd like to ask a question; if they could take 5 top order wickets, why did they fail to take another 5 down the order in a timely manner with 150+ runs to play with on a day 4 pitch at Old Trafford ? that too after setting a total which would require a record chase despite having a reputable leggie in the team who was enjoying himself after finding rhythm, in fact this may have been only the third time in 100 years or so that a team successfully chased 200+

[castortroy]

We had a 100 lead ***. To self destruct like we did on a decent track was criminal.

As nasser said, the game was lost yesterday with thr batting performance.

Today also highlighted is that we can't continue having bowlers that can't bat Yasir shar occasionally comes off but he is a walking wicket and then we have 3 number elevens which is unacceptable at this level.

[shaz619]

Speaking of the Batting, most of the dismissals were largely avoidable had the Pakistani's displayed more patience but at the same time it's not easy though against arguably the greatest bowling attack in England's history; I feel people need to give more credit to England especially Chris Woakes of Birmingham, just imagine if Moeen Ali was in the team ahead of Bess, the Test could have ended on Day 3 in England's favour!

[PakLFC]

Nothing new. Getting to 300 is always difficult for our ******** batting line up. We keep playing Azhar and Asad even when they contribute nothing at all.

[fitCricFan]

Is it surprising !!!!!

Depending on who you ask, some believe England was lucky to have won even after conceding a significant 1st innings lead.
There is also talk about today not being Pakistan's day so they couldn't perform even after trying hard. Any other day and we would have easily won this test.

[Yk313]

The collapse is the reason behind us not winning with a BIG margin. The loss is due to not being able to take it home after 117-5 with Stokes and Root in the hut.

Look, AA had no plan. He absolutely did not expect Buttler to play like that - my hunch is neither did Waqar/Mushtaq. When the tea break came, AA may have gone in thinking that Waqar or Misbah would have the solution for him. Lol there was none.

[maddgenius]

I agree their batting could have been a lot better in the 2nd innings, but I'd like to ask a question; if they could take 5 top order wickets, why did they fail to take another 5 down the order in a timely manner with 150+ runs to play with on a day 4 pitch at Old Trafford ? that too after setting a total which would require a record chase despite having a reputable leggie in the team who was enjoying himself after finding rhythm, in fact this may have been only the third time in 100 years or so that a team successfully chased 200+

Because we were more worried about conceding boundaries rather than to take wickets

[Kaka4pope]

Azhars captaincy issues are known, nothing new, nor his batting woes.

Our seam bowlers have less than 40 tests between them, alongside Azhars direction, our strategies are going to be undercooked right now.

I look for the most inexcusable moments in the test, given what is expected of this team - and it’s in those three dismissals mentioned at the top.

[shaz619]

Because we were more worried about conceding boundaries rather than to take wickets

I think the captain was confused by the batting of Woakes and Butler and presumed he was in an ODI

[viveks]

Despite the batting, 5 wickets for 170 runs is pretty much a strong winning position. It's not the batsmen's fault they lost, you also have to remember it's away from home and it's rare to make a home team get into that position, particularly when all of their best bats are out. Overall Pakistan should be happy with the test despite the partnership between Woakes and Buttler, but I don't know if they would be able to get in such a winning position again against England at home.

[Cricketrenew]

Pakistan had 277 on board in last innings, it was poor captaincy (under using Shadab).
Reliance on Yasir who has no variety.
Pakistan teams of old (Waqar, Wasim, Shoaib, Mushtaqs)
would never have allowed batsmen 5 or below to get close.

[aloo paratha]

Again, Babar and Azhar fell to deliveries - Abid got himself out to a harmless ball, he had to do a lot to get himself out. Don’t think Shan’s was unlucky...presented it to the keeper, caught napping.

Babar poking at a ball that was like a 7th stump line. Azhar falling over, failing to put away a half volley.

[sweep_shot]

2nd innings batting from Pakistan was shockingly bad. However, 277 still should've been defended. Bowlers failed when it mattered.

[Saj]

Of all the dismissals, the Asad run out annoyed me the most.

Meek surrender which could have been easily avoided.

[shamaan]

Of all the dismissals, the Asad run out annoyed me the most.

Meek surrender which could have been easily avoided.

They were some really poor but I'd say abid ali was the poorest.

Abid shafiq and shan all three gave thier wickets away

[shamaan]

2nd innings batting from Pakistan was shockingly bad. However, 277 still should've been defended. Bowlers failed when it mattered.

No I blame the batting but bowlers suouldntake some criticism

[Saj]

They were some really poor but I'd say abid ali was the poorest.

Abid shafiq and shan all three gave thier wickets away

Abid's reeked of inexperience.

The trap was set and he duly obliged. Ridiculous decision-making really.

[Kaka4pope]

Babar poking at a ball that was like a 7th stump line. Azhar falling over, failing to put away a half volley.

Agreed but still technical issues, we arrived with those. Babar did it twice which was poor of him. Azhars front foot is stuck on repeat.

[Kaka4pope]

Abid's reeked of inexperience.

The trap was set and he duly obliged. Ridiculous decision-making really.

Watched it live and was just like, what/why? Worse shot I’ve seen this English summer. And for all his issues, he looked decent enough to go on and contribute runs.

[Kaka4pope]

Pakistan had 277 on board in last innings, it was poor captaincy (under using Shadab).
Reliance on Yasir who has no variety.
Pakistan teams of old (Waqar, Wasim, Shoaib, Mushtaqs)
would never have allowed batsmen 5 or below to get close.

You’ve named 3 world class bowlers and a top spinner though - Pakistan does not have that at the moment...

Shadab was bright first innings but began to drag deliveries towards the end of the test.

Despite his positive efforts (LOI player really), I’d swap him for an extra bat - Alam/Azhar can bowl decent spin along defensive lines and pick up the odd wicket - what’s needed from the 5th option.

[Local.Dada]

No I blame the batting but bowlers suouldntake some criticism

At the beginning of this test,if Pak fans were given an option of being in a position of 277 ahead on a 4th day pitch that is turning like a Nagpur pitch, they would have taken that option with eyes closed.

In fact if I say would you take a similar position of defending 275+ on a dry 4th day/5th day pitch in the next test, I am sure you,Pak team,fans and team management would do the same again.

Sure there was a collapse in the 2nd innings but that just ended up neutralizing the great effort in the first innings. It was the batsmen who put Pakistan especially Shaan Masood who single handedly put Pakistan in a winning position.

Any team in the world would lick it's lips to be in a position Pakistan was. You can blame the captain but he is not going to bowl for the bowlers and Yasir was great. Too bad he didn't have support.

[TeamPak95]

Didn’t go for the jugular in the 2nd innings by setting a 320+ target, and missed the trick vs Woakes when he came in to bat. I don’t blame the bowlers though. Yasir being among the wickets again is always a plus considering his recent performances.

[shamaan]

At the beginning of this test,if Pak fans were given an option of being in a position of 277 ahead on a 4th day pitch that is turning like a Nagpur pitch, they would have taken that option with eyes closed.

In fact if I say would you take a similar position of defending 275+ on a dry 4th day/5th day pitch in the next test, I am sure you,Pak team,fans and team management would do the same again.

Sure there was a collapse in the 2nd innings but that just ended up neutralizing the great effort in the first innings. It was the batsmen who put Pakistan especially Shaan Masood who single handedly put Pakistan in a winning position.

Any team in the world would lick it's lips to be in a position Pakistan was. You can blame the captain but he is not going to bowl for the bowlers and Yasir was great. Too bad he didn't have support.

I do blame the captain for example only bowling shadab right til they end.i also blame waqar becouse they didnt have a plan B for example I didnt see a single bouncer from naseem remember these are young bowlers they will need help from the coaches regarding tactics

[shamaan]

Abid's reeked of inexperience.

The trap was set and he duly obliged. Ridiculous decision-making really.

Mate its mentenality he doesnt want to fight wanted easier runs hes old enough to use this brains lol

[Firebat]

Our crumbling under pressure in the 2nd innings was a massive reason we lost, but I also think our lack of bowling intelligence and weak captaincy during that Woakes-Buttler partnership was a big reason too. We just expected English batsmen to duly wait for "a ball with their name on it" as Woakes said, but as soon as they started counter attacking we had panicked and had no response. No spine and no stomach in our play, no plan B.

[Savak]

Yes batting was poor, but I am sorry when you have the opposition 127/5 chasing 277, you should be able to wrap it up and not be a 75 test veteran Azhar Ali looking like a debutant under pressure