August 29: Pakistan’s head coach, Sarfaraz Ahmed, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of the team’s batters.
He noted that the Pakistani batsmen are not spending enough time at the crease, leading to the team being bowled out within 30 to 35 overs.
In the first innings of the Leeds Test, Pakistan was restricted to 171 runs, and in the second innings, they managed only 135. The batting woes continued in the Lord’s Test, where the team crumbled for just 110 runs against English fast bowlers.
Sarfaraz highlighted the poor performance of the batters as a significant concern. He stated, “You cannot deny that our team is getting all out in 30 or 35 overs. Clearly, we have discussed this, and the batsmen know that we are not spending enough time on the pitch.”
He further added, “Yes, the conditions are certainly challenging for the batsmen, but any batsman who spends more time at the crease and faces 30 to 40 balls will benefit. The initial 30-40 balls are tough, but if we can get through them, we will be in a better position.”
Sarfaraz praised Azaan Awais, who stood firm for the team, facing 102 balls and scoring 46 runs with the help of seven boundaries. He remarked, “Azaan handled the pressure well in the beginning and later played some excellent shots. Therefore, I believe that in the first hour, meaning the first 40 or 50 balls, you need to play with good technique. I think Azaan deserves praise for how he faced Archer’s spell; it is very good for him and his career. Awais batted at a crucial time and faced top-quality bowling. As a batsman, this will be a significant boost for him.”