After a convincing win in the first test match, Pakistani team was literally outclassed by the English team in the second test, winning it convincingly by 330 runs. Many called it a rather humiliating defeat for Pakistan who had a clear psychological advantage after securing a great win in the first test. In both of their innings, on a flat pitch, the whole Pakistani team could score 432 runs which was even less than the number of runs that the duo of Alastair Cook and Joe Root scored, 506 runs.
So what changed so dramatically for Pakistan that they failed miserably with both bat and ball? Of course, one can not include Pakistan’s fielding into the list of failures because that’s where we have, historically and consistently, always been a disappointment.
England, after experiencing an unexpected loss in the first test, seem to have seriously done their homework about how to tackle Pakistani bowlers. Their transformation from a helpless-looking bunch of batsmen to strong-willed and total-in-control batsmen, that too in such a short time, was phenomenal. In fact, the second test match showed a completely opposite picture, it was Pakistani bowlers who looked extremely helpless and ordinary in front of the English batsmen.
And what was the major change that the English batsmen incorporated? Well, they simply showed patience, waited for the loose ball and then cashed in on every single opportunity that they got. Their temperament made the difference.
They had one thing in mind and that was to give some respect to Pakistani bowlers in the start of the innings when the new ball gets some swing. Once the ball got older, it was very easy for the experienced batsmen like Cook and Joy Root to go for some easy runs and play shot at their will.
Pakistani batsmen on the other hand, showed immaturity and went after everything. Their shot selection was simply poor. They got out by playing some unnecessary shots that felt tantamount to willfully handing over their wickets to English bowlers.
Having said all this, what’s done is part of history now. The key for Pakistan is to learn from its mistakes. The sooner the better.
The third test is going to start from 3rd of August. Pakistan will have to enter the ground with a fresh and focused state of mind. In addition to that, the out-of-form Muhammad Hafeez should be given rest for the next match and Sami Aslam be given a chance in his place.
Obviously, Misbah should go for bat first if he wins the toss and try put some runs on the board. However whether they win the toss or not, Pakistani batsmen will have to improve their shot selection. They will have to learn the art of staying calm and patient and not giving in to unnecessary pressure.
Additionally, English batsmen have worked on Yasir Shah, so bringing in Zulfiqar as well in the next match would also be a good idea. However of course, inclusion of an extra spinner will depend on the type of pitch that’s setup next week at Edgbaston.