Former Pakistan captain-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja was disappointed with the way the tourists let them escape with a victory from such a dominating position in the first Test of the three-match Test series against England at Old Trafford on Saturday (August 8).
Pakistan had a great start in the opening Test, scoring 326 runs, but the tourists couldn’t cross the 200-run mark in the second innings and let the game slip out of their hands, as England won the game by 3-wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series in Manchester.
Raja told Mumbai Mirror: “Only Pakistan could have lost from that position. With such a lead they may have thought 250 would be enough to roll over England. With five wickets down and big guns back in the pavilion at 117, allowing over 100-run (139 runs) partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes is the disappointing part. Mind you Buttler was playing for his position in the XI.”
He further added, “Pakistan was a little confused during that partnership. This has been happening with Pakistan quite often, unfortunately. It was a superb partnership no doubt but why did Pakistan allow it? There is a reason their ranking is low in Tests (No 7).
When you got a captain who is not in great form, the coaching staff has to be more proactive. Also, they get a good perspective sitting outside. England was allowed to take easy singles, close to 40 singles were taken by Buttler and Woakes through point.”
Raja signed off: “No one told Azhar Ali or Yasir Shah to plug that gap. I was frustrated with the field set-up. The bouncer was not tried. The strategy needed a revisit which didn’t happen, unfortunately.”
(With Mumbai Mirror Inputs)
