October 11, 2024: Following Pakistan’s 47-run defeat to England in Multan, captain Shan Masood provided a candid assessment of his team’s performance and the hurdles they are facing in the ongoing series.
Despite an impressive first innings score of 550, Pakistan could not convert that momentum into a match-winning situation, as they struggled to take the crucial 10 wickets needed to secure a victory.
In the post-match presentation, Masood acknowledged the importance of converting a high score into a match advantage. He stated, “We’ve spoken about the third innings or fourth innings, but at the end of the day, it’s a team game. Everything has its advantages and repercussions. When you put up 556 on the board, it’s important to back it up with 10 wickets. That’s something we didn’t do.”
Masood pointed out that failing to restrict England’s batting allowed them to set a challenging target, making it tough for Pakistan to chase 220 runs on the final day. He emphasized the need for both batting and bowling departments to work together: “If we take those 10 wickets and keep England around our score, maybe a bit more, then these 220 runs on the fifth day become challenging. That’s the key to work it out as a team.”
He praised England for their ability to secure vital wickets and highlighted a crucial aspect of Test cricket: winning requires taking all 20 wickets. “We can learn from England as well. They’ve found a way to get those 20 wickets. Can’t win Test matches without picking up 20 wickets,” Masood said, recognizing that his team needs to improve their bowling efforts in the second innings.
Reflecting on the series, Masood stressed the importance of a squad mentality and the consistency needed to perform regardless of pitch conditions. He remarked, “We’re in the middle of the series. Successful teams find ways to perform no matter how the pitch is. England showed that. Test quality cricket is the ultimate format. In the ultimate format, you have to find out ways to get the opposition out.”
Masood also touched on the emotional impact of the loss, acknowledging the disappointment felt by both the team and the nation. However, he maintained an optimistic outlook, saying, “Sometimes you get conditions in your favor, sometimes you don’t. But the best teams always find a way. The learning curve is how we can score runs and pick wickets consistently. We love playing the game. We’re obviously hurt by the results, but the beauty of the game is it always gives you another chance.”
Taking full responsibility for the team’s performance, Masood expressed his commitment to improving the situation. “I never try and shy away from responsibility. What hurts is that we’re not getting the results that Pakistan cricket deserves. We’re all trying hard, and we’re going to give it our all. We take the responsibility upon our shoulders and have to get it right as a squad and as a cricket-playing nation,” he concluded.
Masood’s reflections underline the challenges ahead for Pakistan as they seek to bounce back in the series, emphasizing the need for collective effort and improvement in both batting and bowling performances.