Speaking after the game, England captain Alistair Cook told the BBC: “We played at a disappointing level – we’ve drawn a series so it’s not the end of the world, but we had the opportunity to beat Pakistan and it’s frustrating”.
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But he spells out that big runs in sixth and seventh-wicket stands should be merely the “icing on the cake”, not a necessity.
“We can’t afford to drop as many chances as we are doing if we want to bowl out sides on good wickets like this”. He credited the improved performances of Jonny Bairstow, who has every chance of establishing a new record for the most runs scored in a year by a Test wicketkeeper, and Moeen Ali, as well as celebrating the much-improved relationship between the two sides.
Azhar launched a huge six to secure victory for Pakistan, leaving England to rue a disappointing display – compounded by a potential hamstring injury to Finn.
“At the beginning of this game it was “you can become number one, could do all this, could do all that”, he said. “But these four days probably show exactly where we are”.
“It’s not easy”, Cook said. In the heat of the moment, it’s not ideal’.
“That is such a good thing for these two sides, after the history we’ve had”.
Catching is one of them, as is England’s spin bowling, with Moeen Ali’s off-breaks bringing him 11 wickets in the series at 46 each and costing 4.65 an over.
The significance of a harmonious return was not lost on captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for publicly criticizing an umpiring decision during the Test, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Sunday.
“There were no off field issues – we are happy to conclude on a pleasing note, 2-2, everyone enjoyed it, we made friends on and off the field”.
England and Pakistan tied the Investec Test Series after the hosts slumped to a fourth day defeat at the Kia Oval.
Cook added: “It’s been a great series to be part of, two good teams playing good cricket and for once with Pakistan and England we’ve just talked about the cricket”.
It was just what Australia needed following the heavy second-Test defeat and especially after losing David Warner in the fourth over.
Misbah said: “We would deserve it because it is so long since we’ve played at home”. “But having every day away from your country, without family and friends is really hard”.
“It’s mentally tough – I’ve only seen my mother and sister once in a year, some friends I haven’t seen for three or four years”.
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‘Playing all your games outside Pakistan is really hard, ‘ the captain said.
