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Sports

Shan, Hafeez cite Pakistan’s timid approach in first innings

By News Desk December 17, 2023 · 4:03 pm PKT · 2 min read

Pakistan captain Shan Masood and team manager Mohammad Hafeez criticized Pakistan’s passive approach in the first innings, which eventually led to a resounding 360-run victory for Australia in the opening Test in Perth.

The visitors, chasing a target of 450, collapsed for just 89 runs, with Nathan Lyon claiming 2-18 and Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood securing three wickets each.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Shan Masood expressed his disappointment, stating that despite facing one of the best bowling attacks in the world, Pakistan could have batted more aggressively.

“When you come here, you’re looking for progress. If you had told us at the start of the Test that Australia would bowl 110 overs and we would bowl 100 overs, I would have taken that as a batting unit. Even though we were playing one of the best attacks in the world, we would we could have batted a bit quicker. We probably lost 60 or 70 runs which could have reduced the lead,” Masood said at the post-match presentation.

Similarly, Hafeez revealed that some tactical errors and lack of application by the players contributed to the team’s inability to dominate in crucial situations.

“We couldn’t execute our skills. We made the plans for the team, but unfortunately, as a team, we couldn’t execute our plans. Obviously the guys wanted to, but they never applied themselves, to be honest. As a team we did some tactical mistakes. There were certain situations where we could have dominated. We were prepared but our execution was not great,” Hafeez said at the post-match press conference.

In the first innings, after dismissing Australia for 487, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq approached the innings cautiously, adding 74 runs at a rate of two runs per over to negotiate the new ball. However, their slow start saw Pakistan bowl out 53 overs on day two, finishing 132 for 2 at stumps. Instead, Shan Masood stood out with his attacking intent, scoring 30 runs off 43 balls in the first innings.