Birmingham, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Pakistan cricket team’s disappointing performance in the Test series against England has raised concerns, particularly after losing the first two matches. The situation remains grim as they approach the third Test in Birmingham, with both senior and junior players failing to deliver. Even the young players called up for this match have not made a significant impact.
Despite the challenges, Pakistan’s batting coach Michael Smith has expressed his support for the young talents. He emphasized that there are many quality cricketers emerging from Pakistan.
In a media interaction, Smith stated, “I am not aware of any ongoing investigations following the second Test, so I cannot comment on that. However, there is a lot of quality in Pakistan cricket. We have seen this over the years, and while some countries experience minor changes, Pakistan continues to produce both young and experienced players. It’s about learning quickly and helping them adapt to the Test environment, which will benefit them in the long run.”
Smith acknowledged the need for a “time for change” in the batting lineup, recognizing their struggle to maintain longer innings. He pointed out, “We have shown some very good signs. Perhaps the biggest lesson is that we need some of our players to play for extended periods under specific game plans. Saud Shakeel has demonstrated this multiple times, as have Azan Awais and Shan Masood. We need this for hours, not just half a session.”
He noted that for some players, this tour of England is their first, and they lack extensive Test experience. They are learning difficult lessons, and it is crucial for them to adapt to the Test circuit, which can be challenging. “We must ensure we are showing small positive signs, but now we need to deliver a significant performance to regain our confidence,” Smith added.
Despite the team’s difficulties, Smith reported that the players are maintaining a positive attitude. He cautioned against making hasty judgments about the young batsmen, stating, “This is tough cricket, but one thing our boys are doing is embracing the tour and genuinely enjoying the experience as a group and as a team.”
Having been appointed as batting coach just before this series, Smith mentioned that he needs more time to assess whether changes are necessary to prepare the players for the challenges they face. He described the challenge ahead as exciting and expressed enthusiasm for the task at hand.
The Pakistan team has struggled significantly with their batting, failing to surpass the 200-run mark in their last five innings.
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