Shan Masood Highlights Team Effort in Test Victory

Rawalpindi-(Mudassar Iqbal): After enduring a challenging stretch of six consecutive losses, Pakistan’s Test cricket captain Shan Masood shared his excitement over securing a series victory against England.

At a post-match press conference, Masood attributed the win to the resilience of the Pakistani squad and emphasized the role of teamwork. Reflecting on match conditions, he pointed out that pitches in Pakistan are not always ideal for spin bowlers, but he stressed the need for adaptability to succeed in different environments. “To rank among the top Test teams, we need to consistently take 20 wickets and put up strong scores, regardless of conditions,” he said, noting the demands of the Test Championship, which includes a mix of home and away series.

When asked about his opening batsmen, Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq, Masood encouraged constructive feedback. “If you focus on negatives even after a win, what response should there be? Cricket is a team sport, not an individual one,” he remarked, underscoring the need for unity and support within the squad.

Masood explained that the team’s strategy involved preparing pitches favoring fast bowling against Bangladesh, while also adapting to spin-friendly surfaces at home. He praised the batsmen for their sacrifices and commended the bowlers for securing 20 wickets in the series.

Discussing the openers’ challenges, Masood noted, “Since the Test Championship began, openers have recorded the fewest runs. Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq represent our future; without supporting our players, the team will face constant changes.”

Regarding team selection, Masood revealed that after the initial loss, the coaching staff and selectors met to make crucial adjustments. He credited the new selection committee for their strategic efforts, including the recall of spin bowlers Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.

Ending the conference, Masood downplayed concerns over the early finish, saying, “It doesn’t matter if a match ends on day one; our focus is on winning.”

Meanwhile, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes expressed disappointment over back-to-back defeats to Pakistan, resulting in a series loss. In a post-match interview, Stokes acknowledged the challenges of the last two matches and said his team didn’t meet their goals. “Our last two games weren’t up to par,” Stokes admitted, adding that the team would now focus on the New Zealand series with an aim to address mistakes.

Having played continuously for an extended period, Stokes noted that losing two matches in a row, especially after securing the first Test, is tough. “It’s never easy to lose like this, but we have to learn and improve,” he said. Despite the setback, Stokes praised Pakistan for their performance, acknowledging, “The Pakistan team played good cricket.” He credited them for capitalizing on opportunities and adapting to conditions, ultimately securing a well-deserved series win.

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