SA v PAK 2018-19: Our fast bowlers weren't up to the mark, rues Sarfaraz Ahmed 

Pakistan succumbed to another massive defeat in the Test series.

Sarfaraz did bat well in the first innings but it was never going to be enough | Getty

While Pakistan's batting line-up hasn't stood up to the task in South Africa, Sarfaraz Ahmed regrets the inability of his fast bowling prowess to match the impact that Proteas' overall pace battery has had with the ball, as well. 

The visiting skipper is disappointed with his team's overall performance and the loss in the second Test at Cape Town, which ensured a 2-0 unassailable lead for the home side and left another touring Pakistan side deflated on those shores.

"If you compare our bowling with theirs, there's a bit of difference in fast-bowling. Our fast bowlers haven't bowled up to the mark in this Test," Sarfaraz said during the press conference on Sunday, January 6, "Our bowlers bowled at an average pace of 130kmph while they, on the other hand, were bowling at 145kmph. If you lack pace here, you don't get wickets... I don't know what is going on. I don't know what held them back on this Cape Town wicket."

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who batted very well for his 56 in the first innings where Pakistan only posted 177 all out on Day 1, also reflected at the reasons behind the lack of pace that was seen from his bowling attack and felt, "for me, they [South Africa] are fitter than us."

Although Sarfaraz conceded in praise that Faf du Plessis' men have been too good for his team across those conditions, he was equally critical of his own side to simply not give themselves a chance with either skill. 

"Definitely, we are disappointed. I think we are not playing well as a team. We have been saying that our bowling is better [than our batting]. The way we bowled at Centurion, it gave us hope. With 170 [177] runs on board, we needed to take wickets," Sarfaraz explained. 

"Had we gotten them and restricted them under 250 or 300, it would have been a different story altogether. I think we did not capatilise on the opportunities that came our way."

"Credit goes to them, they know how to play in South Africa. But, the real credit goes to their bowlers who did not give us any bad balls. Our batsmen had to play quality shots to get runs. But, when they were batting, we bowled a lot of loose balls to them which helped them in scoring... If you have to win Test matches, you've simply got to take 20 wickets. Otherwise, you are not going to win matches," he signed off. 

(Inputs from Cricbuzz)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 07 Jan, 2019

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