Pakistan
Pakistan (Credits: Twitter)

Pakistan may have suffered a gut-wrenching three-wicket defeat in the opening Test of the three-match series against England at Old Trafford but the former skipper and chief selector, Inzamam Ul Haq feels that Azhar Ali’s men can still script a fightback and register the nation’s first series win on English soil since 1996.

Pakistan squandered what was a great opportunity to seek a head-start in the three-match rubber thanks to an appalling display with the bat in the second innings that saw them get bowled out for a mere 169. But the eventual lead of 277 was still a lot of runs to play and when England lost half of their side for 117, it looked Pakistan had more than enough. But Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes had other ideas. The duo launched a stunning counter-attack that ensured England registered their 10th run-chase in their Test history.

”I think Pakistan team is better than England and we should have won the first Test. It’s very disappointing but I believe Pakistan can still win the series,” Inzamam Ul Haq said on his official Youtube channel.

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Inzamam Ul Haq urges Pakistan team-management to focus on positives to lift the team’s morale

Pakistan
Waqar Younis (L) and Misbah-ul-Haq. Credit: Twitter

Inzamam also reckoned that the visitor’s body language dropped substantially following their second innings collapse and, according to him, that was the prime reason behind them not being able to counter the onslaught unleashed by Buttler and Woakes.

“When you are going through a rough phase, the team’s body language should not change. This was clearly the case in the first Test because Pakistan players seemed to be under pressure following a batting collapse in the second innings on the third day,” he added.

A gut-wrenching defeat like the one that the Men in Green suffered can crush the morale of players and Inzamam reckoned that this is where the role of team-management will be very crucial.

“The role of the team management is important after such a defeat because the players’ morale will be down. They need to talk about the positives rather than focusing on the negatives,” he said.

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