No.2 ranked India could overtake Smith’s men and keep Pakistan at bay if they prevail over the West Indies in the final Test in Port of Spain, a series the tourists now lead 2-0. Instead they suffered a 10-wicket defeat that leaves them fourth in the rankings and reflecting on something of a reality check.
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Alastair Cook blamed his faltering top order for England’s failure to beat Pakistan after this titanic series finished in a 2-2 draw. Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan have played winning knocks under pressure and our bowling always stands out. He also had one catch to his credit and was rightly adjudged Man of the Match.
“For a batter, our currency is runs – and as a top order, we haven’t consistently been doing it”.
“It’s great we’ve got strength in depth”.
“The lower-order have scored runs but they should be putting the icing on the cake, not making the cake”.
“It is frustrating for the side and it is an area we have to work on”.
“The relationship between the sides is a lot better than it’s ever been”.
‘It’s hard to comment because you’re not allowed to criticise a decision, ‘ said Cook.
One may dare to believe that Wahab would have been world class if he would have played in Australia conditions every summer, but to his misfortune, he is made to play on dead UAE pitches every year, something that the cricket insane nation of Pakistan finds hard to comprehend. I can’t fault the lads’ efforts.
“We fought well and everyone will remember this series”. We put down four chances in that first session on day two.
His conclusion is that England were just not quite ready to be world-beaters after all.
“At the beginning of this game it was you can become number one, could do all this”, he said. They say we can only play in Asian conditions but we have shown that we can win in these conditions as well. For more than six years we have not been playing any games at home.
Alex Hales is another who disappointed, managing just 18 runs in the match, and verbally abusing the third umpire after his controversial first dismissal.
“It s not ideal”, he said of Hales s conduct. “In the heat of the moment”. I m sure he won t do that again. We’ve definitely dropped in standard this series.
“That is such a good thing for these two sides, after the history we’ve had”.
Should Misbah-ul-Haq’s men claim the mantle following Australia’s disappointing Test campaign in Sri Lanka, it would be a remarkable turnaround for a side that’s still prevented from playing Tests on home soil. But to win audience, people, supporters – that’s important.
But Cook said the team s problems at The Oval were a fair reflection of their overall standing as a side who now remain fourth in the world rankings. The spirit was really good and there were no on field issues.
Sami Aslam was 12 not out in a victory that coincided with Pakistan’s national Independence Day.
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In reply, England were bundled out for 253 runs. Sometimes people think it’s really easy for us playing in the UAE. Playing all our games outside Pakistan is hard and mentally tough.
