Pakistan’s wait for a Test win at home continued as England beat them by an innings and 47 runs on a batting friendly track of Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan became the first team to face an innings defeat after posting a score over 500 in first innings as England posted a mammoth total of 823/7, thanks to Joe Root and Harry Brook. As England have not won a Test at home in last 11 outings, captain Shan Masood was asked by the reporter in the match press-conference ‘Are Pakistan (players) mentally weak?’ Masood handled the question gracefully. However, he blamed how the pitch did not favour the spinners starting on Day 3.
"I wouldn't say my team is mentally weak but we expected this pitch to break by the third day onwards that is why we prolonged our innings. But at the end of the day you have to find ways to take 20 wickets and we are not doing that in recent times," he said.
Masood admits mistakes
Masood also admitted that the blame lies with players and not anyone else. The left-handed batter who scored a century in the first innings said that there were a few cracks on the pitch when England declared and Pakistan batted on Day 4.
"We can't blame anyone but ourselves. Where we made lapses they didn't and capitalised on their opportunities. The pitch character did change on the fourth day when we came to bat as some cracks had opened up and there was a little something for the bowlers with the new ball."
In the second innings, Masood lost his wicket to Gus Atkinson after scoring 11 runs from 22 balls. Pakistan suffered a collapse and lost half the side for 59. It was an uphill task from there and even half-centuries from Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal could not save them from an innings defeat as they were bowled out for 220 on Day 5.
Same pitch for second Test in Multan?
The second Test of the three-Test series against England will be played at the same venue. It is yet to be seen whether a similar pitch will be on display as Pakistan look to end their win drought at home in the format.
