Pakistan's vice-captain Saud Shakeel expressed his team's disappointment following yet another batting collapse during the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday. The match saw Pakistan bowled out for a mere 133 runs in just 33.5 overs, marking their shortest innings of the three-match series. Shakeel emerged as the top scorer for Pakistan, contributing 43 runs off 47 balls, but the team's batting woes were once again exposed by England's formidable pace attack.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Pakistan struggled to cope with the overcast conditions that favored the English bowlers. Shakeel lamented the repeated mistakes his team has made, stating, "We are making the same mistake again and again. We are making a lot of efforts from our side, but if something is being repeated, then we are disappointed." His frustration was palpable as he acknowledged the team's inability to build partnerships during crucial phases of the innings.
England's bowlers were relentless, with Ollie Robinson claiming 3 wickets for just 15 runs, Jofra Archer taking 3 for 25, and Josh Tongue leading the attack with 4 for 42. The trio capitalized on the moisture and movement available in the pitch, which Shakeel noted was expected to become more favorable for batting as the match progressed. "Early on, there was a little juice in the pitch. As we went to bat first, the conditions favored them at that time," he explained. Shakeel emphasized that had Pakistan managed to establish a solid partnership early on, they could have taken advantage of the pitch's improving conditions.
Despite Pakistan's early struggles, England also faced challenges, losing early wickets before a recovery led by Emilio Gay and Harry Brook. By the end of the first day, England had reached 156 for 4, taking a 23-run lead into the second day of play. Shakeel dismissed suggestions that the team's batting issues stemmed from players participating in franchise leagues, asserting that the batting group simply had not performed to expectations. "As a batting group, we are not playing well. It is our responsibility," he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of overcoming poor form under challenging conditions.
Shakeel, who previously scored 97 runs in the second Test at Lord's, mentioned that he is focused on adapting his approach based on the match situation rather than adopting a more aggressive style. "I try to play according to the demand of the situation. Wherever I could see today that my partner was also going from the front, the best option was to make as many runs as possible," he said.
In a positive note for Pakistan, Shakeel praised 21-year-old debutant Razaullah, who showcased impressive pace and took two wickets, including that of England's Joe Root. Shakeel acknowledged the challenges Pakistan faces in developing express fast bowlers but expressed optimism about Razaullah's potential. "Such express fast bowlers, even if they don’t play much first-class cricket, it doesn’t matter that much. Their raw talent and their raw pace comes in handy," he remarked.
Shakeel emphasized the importance of senior players and coaching staff in nurturing young talent like Razaullah, stating, "We have to give them a good plan so that they can work with their pace." As the day concluded, Razaullah ended with figures of 2 for 42, providing a glimmer of hope for Pakistan amidst their batting struggles. Shakeel concluded by reaffirming that despite the ongoing issues, the team remains confident in their abilities. "If you want to play at this level and if you don’t have the confidence, then you don’t deserve to play here," he asserted. As the match resumes, Pakistan will need to secure early breakthroughs to prevent England from extending their lead further.
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