Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq rightfully blamed his batsmen for the humiliating nine-wicket defeat in Dubai yesterday before also taking aim at the playing surface after Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Just like in the previous Test against South Africa in October at the same venue, Pakistan’s batsmen crumbled, this time against the Sri Lankan fast bowlers in the first innings. Even though they did much better in the second, it was always going to be a tough task to save the match after conceding a lead of 223 runs.
On the final day yesterday, Pakistan were bowled out for 359 in the first session of play, before Sri Lanka reached the target of 137 for the loss of just one wicket.
And a disappointed Misbah said: “In the first innings, there was some movement in the pitch, but we played some really undisciplined shots that put us in trouble. Seventy odd for one, we should have scored much more than 165 from there.
“The biggest danger was in the first session and we managed to survive that. And then, in the second innings also, the pitch was very flat and there was no help for the spinners or the fast bowlers. It was a better effort, but we could have surely done better than 359.
“You cannot expect the tailenders to do the job. The responsibility of scoring rests with the batsmen, and we did not stay long enough on the wicket to put up a decent total.”
The Pakistan captain was also unhappy with the state of the pitch, saying they were not prepared to Pakistan’s strength – spin – and offered no help to Saeed Ajmal.
The 36-year-old has been Pakistans leading wicket-taker in recent series but has managed to claim just five scalps in two Test matches so far, compared with the 18 he snared against the same opponents over three matches back in 2011.
Misbah added: “We are not getting support as per our strength and that is a worry for us.
“Obviously, the groundsmen are preparing the pitches, but as far as satisfaction, it’s not there because we have not given instructions of such flat tracks.
“Maybe, the groundsmen want to make the kind of pitch we want, but they are not able to do that. It is surprising that there was no break here on the pitch, not even on the fifth day.”
Misbah also thought losing the toss was a vital factor, but he did concede that the tourists were worthy winners. “I have to give full credit to the Sri Lankans. They were more disciplined than us in both batting and bowling. I think that is the learning for us – to win a Test match you have to have that kind of discipline,” said Misbah, who made 97 in the second innings.
“The toss was obviously crucial, especially on the first day when there was lot of moisture in the pitch. That really hurt us and we could not get back into the Test match after that.”
