Pakistan, currently hosting England in a Test series at home, is already in bad shape after losing the first two games of the series. While both games were fiercely contested, there is no denying that Pakistan’s cricket team and its coaches have come under fire ever since the outcome of the series was decided.
Former chief selector, head coach, and former Test batter for Pakistan Mohsin Khan has criticised Saqlain Mushtaq for saying the team would now try for a “consolation win” in the third Test after letting the series slip out of their hands.
“Instead of talking about where we are going wrong, he is now talking about a consolation win. What sort of a coach is Saqlain?” said Mohsin on a Pakistani TV channel.
I feel Rizwan needs to be given a break and rested: Shahid Afridi
After being questioned about the inconsistent performance of vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan thus far in the series during the post-match conference, Pakistan’s batting coach Mohammad Yousuf was also criticised for his response that he had “no role in selection matters”. Shahid Afridi, a former captain of Pakistan, wasn’t convinced by Yousuf’s justification.
“I think it was not a great answer from Yousuf and I feel Rizwan needs to be given a break and rested and Pakistan should bring in Sarfaraz Ahmed in his place for Test matches,” said Afridi on a TV channel.
The second Test match between England and Pakistan ended with a hard-fought 26-run victory for England in Multan on Monday, giving them a commanding 2-0 series lead after England pacer Mark Wood claimed four Pakistan wickets. Having been given a difficult 355-run target to defend on day four, the fast bowler finished with 4-65 as Pakistan were dismissed for 328 in the second session.
With the wickets of Mohammad Nawaz (45) and Saud Shakeel (94) in the space of 12 balls and one run, Wood, who missed England’s 74-run victory in the first Test at Rawalpindi due to a hip injury, helped England win the second game.
