Birmingham, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, acknowledged the need for introspection following his team’s 3-0 series defeat to England.
The final match, held at Edgbaston, ended with England winning by eight wickets on September 12, 2026. This loss has left Pakistan in a precarious position in the World Test Championship standings, dropping their percentage from 16.67% to 14.81%. Currently, they sit at the bottom of the table, having secured only two victories and facing penalties due to a slow over-rate.
After the match, Babar emphasized the importance of evaluating their mistakes to establish the best playing eleven moving forward. “We need to sit down and reflect on our errors,” he stated. “We must determine what kind of team we want and select our players accordingly. I will also be involved in deciding our best eleven.”
In the third Test, Pakistan struggled significantly, collapsing for just 133 runs in their first innings. They managed to score 449 runs in their second innings, showcasing some resilience. Debutant Razaullah made a notable impact, taking four wickets in England’s first innings and scoring 81 runs off 63 balls in the second, including nine sixes and four fours. Other key contributions came from Shan Masood with 95 runs, Babar with 76, and opener Azan Owais with 59 runs, setting a target of 130 runs for England.
Pakistan’s hopes surged early when Mohammad Abbas dismissed both opening batsmen in England’s first over. However, a steady partnership between captain Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62, and Jordan Cox, who scored 59 not out, led England to a comfortable victory.
Reflecting on the match, Babar noted the initial optimism following their early wickets. “We always have hope, especially after taking two early wickets,” he said, praising Root and Cox’s composed response.
Babar also commended Razaullah’s impressive debut performance, highlighting his talent and confidence. “We enjoyed watching him play. He is very talented and is just starting his journey,” he remarked.
Acknowledging the challenges faced during the series, Babar mentioned that the team had to make several adjustments after losing the first two matches. He explained that conditions in England are particularly tough for batsmen, which led to the need for changes in strategy.
As Pakistan looks ahead, Babar stressed the necessity of adapting to various conditions and maximizing the potential of young players. “When you enter a new series, you aim to perform your best and decide how to play under different circumstances,” he said. “These conditions are challenging, but we are trying to ensure that all new players can showcase their skills effectively.”