Shan Masood-led side suffered a defeat in the first test match of England’s tour of Pakistan by 47 runs and an innings.
Despite the absence of Ben Stokes Pakistan lost all 20 wickets in the first test on day 05 of the match. While England bowlers took 20 wickets for 756 runs across 203.5 overs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack which comprised star pacer Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Aamir Jamal and Abrar Ahmed could dismiss only seven England batters for a mammoth total of 823 runs.
While speaking in the post-match conference, Shan Masood said, “We’ve spoken about the third innings or fourth innings, but at the end of the day it’s a team game. Everything has its advantages and repercussions as a team. When you put up 550 on the board, it’s important to back it up with 10 wickets.”
“That’s something we didn’t do. If we take those 10 wickets and keep England around our score, maybe a bit more, then these 220 runs on the fifth day become challenging. So that’s the key to work it out as a team – how can the batting and bowling in the first innings contribute to the team and hopefully set the match up.”
A Test match that kept the record-keepers on their toes 📚
England win the first #PAKvENG Test match by an innings in Multan 👏
Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/60exXWgQd4#WTC25 pic.twitter.com/PFTpYGDARx
— ICC (@ICC) October 11, 2024
“That’s something we’re struggling with. We’re getting into good positions. You ask your batting side to put up a good score in the first innings, and the onus on us now is to set the game up so we can finish it off. 220 runs in the third innings, depending on what kind of lead you have, can also be a good score.”
“We can learn from England as well. They’ve found a way to get those 20 wickets. Can’t win Test matches without picking up 20 wickets. As a team, yes we have that second innings of batting to improve, but we have to learn to pick up 20 wickets.”
“That’s the challenge as a side going forward. We’re in the middle of the series, we’ve talked about squad mentality and consistency. Where I’d like the team to improve is – no matter how the pitch is, we have to find a way out. England showed that. We have to give huge credit to them.”
“Test quality cricket is the ultimate format. And in the ultimate format, you have to find out ways to get the opposition out. Sometimes you get conditions in your favour, sometimes you don’t.”
“But the best teams always find a way. And for us, the learning curve is how can we find ways of scoring runs and picking wickets. It’s a non-negotiable of Test cricket to perform on a regular basis.”
“We love playing the game. We’re obviously hurt by the results, hurt as a nation. But the beauty of the game is it always gives you another chance. Life gives you another chance. So the quick turnaround might be beneficial for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
“I never try and shy away from responsibility. What hurts is that we’re not getting the results that Pakistan cricket deserves. We’re all trying hard, we’re going to give it our all. And we are going to try and turn it around. We take the responsibility upon our shoulders. We have to get it right as a squad and as a cricket-playing nation,” concluded Shan Masood.
Pakistan hasn’t won a single test match at home since 2022. Shan Masood-led Pakistan is awaiting a maiden test win after their loss in Multan. Pakistan has moved to the bottom while England secured 4th position in the WTC points table.
The second match of the England-Pakistan Test series will begin on October 15 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
