Pakistan’s poor performance against England: What went wrong?  

International cricket has returned after months of coronavirus-enforced lockdown. The passionate Pakistani cricket fans were waiting for some action. However, the Pakistan National Team, as always, disappointed their fans.

Pakistan has always been known as the most unpredictable team. The national team can change its defeat to victory and vice versa. Though skillful, they have often failed to deliver.

In the current Test series against England, Pakistan has performed neither in batting nor in bowling. Let’s take an in-depth review of Pakistan’s current performance and what strategies should be changed?

Pakistan vs England 2020

Pakistan headed into Friday’s third and final Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton facing their first series defeat against England in 10 years.

The tourists are 1-0 down in the three-match campaign after a three-wicket defeat in the first Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, a match where Pakistan was on top until the closing stages.

The defeat was followed by a draw in a second Test at Southampton where neither side had a chance of victory in a match blighted by bad weather. The ongoing third test and final test is also being dominated by England.

Team performance

Pakistan’s both batting and bowling line has failed to deliver in the ongoing Test series. Despite Shan Masood’s century not a single Pakistani batsmen were able to score a century.

Babar Azam – best performer of Pakistan – also failed to perform in English conditions. He had scored only 132 runs in the past 4 innings. Skipper Azhar Ali hasn’t scored a half-century in the series, a poor return for a specialist batsman. He had scored only 59 runs in the past 4 innings. Asad Shafiq – the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup – is also following the footsteps of Skipper Azhar Ali.

Pakistan bowling line has also failed to help Pakistan in winning a single test. Despite leg-spinner Yasir Shah’s 11-wicket, no Pakistani bowler had taken more than 5 wickets in the Test Series.

Former cricketers’ remarks

Legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhter had also criticized Pakistan’s performance. He said, “I have seen the attitude of aggressive bowlers, they have the intent of taking wickets, I do not know what is being taught to the current bowlers of Pakistan, there is no method, Naseem Shah keeps on bowling at just one area, there were no slower balls or bouncers.”

“I don’t know why there is a lack of aggression, we are not net bowlers, we are playing Test matches,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“Our players do not understand that when you do not have the right mindset, you would not succeed. Pakistan looked a very ordinary team, the way we are playing, it is looking like we will face our biggest defeat on foreign soil since 2006.”

“It is a very embarrassing performance from Pakistan, I was very hopeful of our side performing well in the series, Pakistan is looking like a club team, Crawley was set for scoring 300, but fortunately, he was dismissed,” he added.

Former captain Ramiz Raja asked the Pakistan team to adopt an aggressive strategy against England and aim to level the series.

The cricketer-turned commentator said Pakistan should move forward without looking at the back. “When you play with an aggressive mind, then your each and everything ability is used positively.”

“Azhar Ali will have to do better captaincy. I will want him to remove himself from the one-down position and bat at down the order,” he added.

What Went Wong?

Pakistan has always faced trouble in playing at English conditions. As repeatedly told, the only way to subdued England at their home was to play aggressively without the fear of defeat.

Secondly, the always-troubled Pakistan’s batting line. The management had to take some important decisions in this regard. The main reason behind Babar Azam’s lack of performance was the pressure, because the whole team was dependent on him. On the other hand, experienced and specialist batsmen Skipper Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq had also failed, which is the biggest reason for the fall of batting lineup.

Thirdly, Pakistan pace attack also disappointed the fans and the experts. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah did not bowl the way they should at English condition. As above mention, not a single bowler despite Yasir Shah had taken more than 5 wickets in the Test series.

Lastly, Skipper Azhar Ali always remained reluctant to take decision. The management has to take important and strict steps for the captaincy.