Skipper says his prices are prepared for a special efficiency within the second Check in opposition to England
Pakistan captain Babar Azam mentioned his workforce should take better accountability and keep away from one other batting collapse once they face England within the second Check at Lord’s on Thursday.
Pakistan have been crushed by an innings and 103 runs within the opening Check at Headingley, however Babar mentioned the workforce had reviewed its shortcomings and was targeted on producing a stronger efficiency.
“We didn’t play on top of things within the final match,” Babar informed reporters on Wednesday. “However we sat down and mentioned. We mentioned our weak factors.”
Babar, who missed the primary Check, mentioned Pakistan would strategy the match session by session and insisted the workforce might reply strongly after a heavy defeat.
“At any time when one thing like this occurs, as a workforce, we all the time step up,” he mentioned. “We play completely different cricket. We don’t play like we did final time. However this time, you will notice one thing completely different.”
The Pakistan captain mentioned the grass masking the Lord’s pitch might affect the ultimate workforce choice, with the vacationers contemplating whether or not to area three quick bowlers and one specialist spinner.
“We are going to see the ultimate look of the pitch right now,” Babar mentioned. “After we go, we’ll determine which 11 can be appropriate right here.”
He additionally harassed the significance of partnerships, notably in England, the place situations could make life troublesome for brand new batters.
“If a set batsman is enjoying, it’s a little simple for him,” he mentioned. “However when a brand new batsman comes, it’s a little troublesome for him to construct a partnership.”
Pakistan have additionally endured a sequence of collapses, and Babar acknowledged that the workforce wanted to deal with the transition between set and new batters higher.
“Largely, the set batsman will get out. We are going to lag there. It’s troublesome for a brand new batsman,” he mentioned. “We are going to attempt to focus extra on that state of affairs.”
Babar defended the choice to maintain Abdullah Shafique in his present batting place reasonably than transfer him again to the opening slot.
“He ought to play on his quantity,” Babar mentioned, including that Shafique had additionally batted in that place in home cricket and was assured there.
The captain mentioned senior gamers, together with Mohammad Rizwan, had a accountability to ship, however rejected the concept the wicketkeeper-batter was underneath extra strain.
“It isn’t a burden. It’s a accountability as a senior participant,” Babar mentioned. “It isn’t simply Rizwan’s accountability. It’s everybody’s accountability.”
Babar additionally confirmed he was near full health after lacking the primary Check, saying he had accomplished observe classes and was “90%” match for Thursday’s match.
The three-Check sequence provides Pakistan an opportunity to recuperate from their disappointing begin, whereas England can take an unassailable 2-0 lead with victory at Lord’s.
Babar mentioned enjoying on the historic floor remained an important day and urged his gamers to embrace the problem.
“It’s an honour to play right here at Lord’s,” he mentioned. “We’re trying ahead.”