Misbah-Ul-Haq Rues Letting England Off The Hook In Defense Of 277

Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-Ul-Haq has broke his silence on his team’s three-wicket loss to England in Manchester in the first Test. Pakistan put the home side under pressure for the most part of the game; however, the partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes in the fourth innings was the turning point. Misbah-Ul-Haq lamented Pakistan’s timid display while defending 277. Pakistan put on a credible batting display in the first innings, amassing 326, headlined by Shan Masood’s 156.

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They secured a first-innings lead of 107 as their bowlers were right on the money against the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Ollie Pope. However, the English bowlers bounced back in the second innings, skittling the visitors for 169. Root’s men gave themselves 277 to chase with more than a day to go. Despite dismissing five English batsmen with more than 150 adrift of victory, Pakistan’s reputed bowling attack could not guide their side to a series lead.

Misbah-Ul-Haq labelled the counter-attacking knocks by Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler as very skilful. The former Pakistan skipper rued not staying on point when the pair were surging through for a remarkable victory.

“We are disappointed that we let England off the hook after they were five wickets down at one stage. The way Buttler and Woakes counter-attacked our bowlers, it was very skilful,” Misbah-Ul-Haq stated as quoted by Times of India.

Misbah went on to lament his side’s meek showing with the bat in the second innings. He reckoned that a target of over 300 would have done the trick and needed to bat better against English bowlers in their backyard.

“Overall, we could have done better with the bat in the second innings. It would have been a different scenario if it was a 300-above target. It is very important to put up a decent score in the second innings against England’s quality bowling attack in their own conditions,” the head coach conceded.

Misbah-Ul-Haq backs his team to bounce back:

The 45-year old admitted that the match was in their grasp until the mammoth stand of 139 between Woakes and Buttler. He praised the duo for thriving brilliantly under pressure and conceded that the partnership took the game away from Pakistan. Nevertheless, Misbah-Ul-Haq supported his team to play better in the upcoming games. The second Test begins in Southampton from the 13th of August.

“I think till then the match was in our hands. That partnership completely took the game away from us. The turning point of the match was that England produced a brilliant partnership under pressure. It was a tough game for us but we will have to come out of that soon. We can play much better cricket and this team has the capability to make a comeback,” he added.

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