Teamwork takes the wicket

It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Pakistan was the better team for the majority of the first Test match. However, England made a dramatic turnaround to maintain the developed habit of chasing down daunting targets in final innings. One bad day cost Pakistan the Test match.

It’s nothing new that Pakistan cricket team disappoints their passionate fans. The national cricket team has always failed to deliver in Test cricket despite some performances.

This format is the toughest of all in cricket. Yes, it is also the most important format. And yes, becoming the number 1 test team in the world is equivalent to winning any trophy. It puts the players through a toiling battle, tests their mettle, talent and fighting spirit to the very extreme. But nothing much is possible when there is a lack of teamwork.

During the whole series, not a single performance has helped Pakistan to be in a commanding situation. Shan Masood’s 150 was just for a single inning and later, he failed to score even a half-century. Pakistan’s opening has always struggled in the past and still struggling. Abid Ali, despite one half-century, can’t score for his team.

The most prolific batsman, Babar Azam, failed to impress his fans on the English conditions. However, one thing should be cleared here. The entire batting lineup is dependent on Babar. This is the main cause of the lack of Babar’s performance. Even legend players like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Brian Lara failed to deliver under pressure.

Talking about Skipper Azhar Ali, only one thing comes in mind: it’s time to step up or step down. Azhar Ali’s batting has never been aesthetically pleasing. Azhar had a double-hundred in Australia and a triple-hundred in a day-night fixture against West Indies. It was evident that he and Asad Shafiq would be the next chieftain of Pakistan’s middle-order but, sadly enough, it has all gone downhill from there especially for Azhar.

He once hit a century every fourth Test and now he has only hit two in 20 matches. He had the stubbornness that could frustrate bowlers and fielders as well as his home fans and now he keeps falling over to a ball he should play with a straight bat. The same goes for Asad Shafiq.

Now come towards Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who was dubbed as new Wasim and Waqar duo, also did nothing for their team. Fast bowlers usually have an attitude, they have the intent of taking wickets. Naseem Shah keeps on bowling at just one area, there are no slower balls or bouncers. It always seems like Naseem Shah is tired.

Our only specialists’ spinner, Yasir Shah has claimed 11 wickets in the past 4 innings. Followed by Muhammad Abbas (5 wickets). Pakistani bowlers have failed to take more than 5 wickets in 4 innings.

Everyone is dependent on someone else and waiting for a miracle. The lack of teamwork has cost Pakistan the Test Series. The management and the coaching staff have to take important decisions in this regard and should organized lessons about teamwork for the national team.