‘Pakistan failed to handle pressure’
Heartbreaking loss by four runs in opening Test in Abu Dhabi
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmad accepted that his team were sucked in by New Zealand’s relentless pressure which resulted in his side’s heartbreaking loss by four runs in their opening Test at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium yesterday.
“We didn’t handle the pressure well is what I would say,” a dejected-looking Sarfraz said. “When we had 40 runs to get, that run out for Babar Azam was the turning point as our collapse started from there. I would say we didn’t handle the pressure well.
Pakistan have failed to chase down low totals in fourth innings in the past as well. Just little over a year ago, Sri Lanka bowled them out for 114 to deny them a win by 21 runs at the same venue and last year against West Indies in Barbados, they were bowled out for 81 in a chase of 187. “It is very disappointing to say the least,” added Sarfraz. “The way we started off yesterday, we felt we will get through to the target easily. But then we lost three wickets and they there wasn’t a good partnership. “The pitch behaviour on all four days has been the same. It was important for set players to play on and as soon as wickets have fallen, the teams have collapsed be it ours or theirs. But as far as the chase goes we should have achieved that target and it is a huge disappointment for the team.”
Sarfraz did not take anything away from the New Zealanders and credited their left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel for his effort with the ball on debut.
Patel had spun is magic on the turning track and his fivewicket haul was not fluke, admitted the Pakistan skipper.
“New Zealand have bowled well and you should give credit to that,” he said. “The wicket here is not the same that it used to be. The behaviour of the wicket changed a lot and it started to turn a lot but all credit to Ajaz Patel as he was exceptional. Sarfraz felt losing wickets after getting starts was the main reason for the setback and they needed to work on it immediately.”