RAWALPINDI: Captain Shan Masood said Pakistan need stability to build on Saturday’s memorable victory over England, their first home Test series win in nearly four years.
Masood’s team thrashed England by nine wickets in the third and final Test inside three days in Rawalpindi for a 2-1 series win.
England destroyed Pakistan by an innings in the first Test, before the hosts roared back with their spinners doing most of the damage.
“Like London buses they come together,” a relieved Masood told reporters.
“The first win came after a long time and it was backed up by a series win. It’s special.”
Until Pakistan levelled the series in Multan last week, Masood’s tenure had been tainted by a string of six successive defeats, including a 2-0 loss at home to Bangladesh.
He faced loud calls for his resignation.
Pakistan cricket has been struggling in all formats recently, with a revolving door of leadership overseeing chopping and changing among both players and management.
“For me the biggest thing is progress,” said Masood.
“The Pakistan team needs stability at the moment,” he added. “But when we think that changes are necessary to put the team on a winning track, we will do so.”
Spinners Noman Ali grabbed 6-42 and Sajid Khan 4-69 to bowl England out for 112 in 37.2 overs.
The duo did not feature in the first Test, which saw England post a record first innings score of 823 and led to the axing of star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Noman and Sajid combined for a spectacular 39 wickets in the subsequent two Tests, tearing through the England batting and delivering a famous series triumph.
“Noman and Sajid were outstanding, like they were in the second Test,” said Masood. “To be here and standing as the winning team, it’s the most special thing for us.”
Between the duo’s spin wizardry across both England innings, Pakistan were buoyed by a gritty century from middle-order batter Saud Shakeel, ensuring they had vital runs to defend.
“People have grown in stature,” said Masood. “It’s about the whole team and its spirit.”
Saturday’s match ended with Masood smashing Shoaib Bashir for six to chase down the 36-run target in 3.1 overs before lunch.
Pakistan next play a two-Test series in South Africa in December.
Skipper Shan Masood says Pakistan need stability after famous England win
https://arab.news/mj8ge
Skipper Shan Masood says Pakistan need stability after famous England win
- Pakistan thrashed England by nine wickets in the third Test inside three days for a 2-1 series win
- Masood tenure as captain was tainted by a string of defeats until Pakistan won against England
International Cricket Council in talks to revive India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
- Pakistan face two-point loss and net run-rate hit if they forfeit Feb. 15 match
- ICC seeks dialogue after Pakistan boycott clash citing government directive
NEW DELHI, India: The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.
Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising revenue.
But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan’s government ordered the team not to play the match in Colombo.
The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket’s world body, a source close to the developments told AFP.
The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the source added.
The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.
As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said this week that his team would travel to Colombo for the clash.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments.
