Not enforcing follow-on: Bari questions Cook’s captaincy
Former chief selector feels England should have tested Pakistan’s brittle top-order
Misbah was once again the only Pakistan batsman to show some grit, while Woakes claimed four wickets. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Hosts England claimed a record 391-run lead against Pakistan but captain Alastair Cook’s decision to bat again, rather than enforce the follow-on, in the second Test at Old Trafford has baffled former Pakistan wicketkeeper Wasim Bari.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Bari stated that Cook’s decision to bat again after his bowlers had scythed through Pakistan’s batting was a case of timid captaincy, especially considering the lack of confidence in the visitor’s top-order batsmen.
Bari felt the fear of a potential Pakistan comeback and facing leg-spinner Yasir Shah in the fourth-innings made Cook and co take a negative decision, despite the Englishmen bossing the 30-year-old in the first innings.
“They don’t want to bat in the fourth innings,” he said. “I don’t think it is a bold decision. With a lead of almost 400, they should have asked Pakistan to bat again, keeping in mind that the Pakistan top-order is under such intense pressure.”
Arthur urges Pakistan to bat well as England opt against follow-on
Tail keeps Pakistan in the game
Earlier on day three, in reply to England’s mammoth 589-8 (dec), Pakistan had crashed to 119-8 before a 60-run stand for the ninth wicket between skipper Misbahul Haq and Wahab Riaz rescued the team and took the score to 198.
Misbah was the only Pakistani batsman to score a half-century but fell for 52, while Wahab made a career-best 39.
“Pakistan reached 198 due to Misbah and the tail-enders; the top-order has no confidence, there were too many soft dismissals, the batsmen aren’t learning from their mistakes and are getting out playing poor shots,” said Bari. “No partnerships were established and had it not been for the lower order, Pakistan would have capitulated for an even more embarrassing total.”
The tail’s effort of keeping England at bay felt all the more important after rain interrupted the day’s play in the final session.
England 98-1 against Pakistan, lead by 489 at 3rd day close
Batsmen must show more fight
Despite Pakistan’s current bleak scenario, Bari is still clinging onto the hopes of a Pakistan fight-back, urging the batsmen to show more grit and defiance in the second innings.
“I want them to fight now,” he said. “England fought at Lord’s and Pakistan must fight it out fully in this Test. They shouldn’t give it up so easily. The second innings is vital — not only for this game but, in the context of the remainder of the series, psychologically too.
Second Test: Root punishes Pakistan
No one shared Yasir’s burden
Bari also lamented the lack of support for leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who was taken for 213 runs in 54 overs — the third-most expensive bowling figures in Pakistan’s Test history and added that once England’s tormentor at Lord’s was neutralised, Misbah didn’t have any option to fall back on.
The fitness of the four-pronged attack also remains a concern for Bari. “No one shared the burden when Yasir was under pressure; there was no back up,” he said. “We need to look after the four bowlers since their workload was intense, and if one of the bowlers breaks down, you are almost out of the game there and then.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2016.
Hosts England claimed a record 391-run lead against Pakistan but captain Alastair Cook’s decision to bat again, rather than enforce the follow-on, in the second Test at Old Trafford has baffled former Pakistan wicketkeeper Wasim Bari.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Bari stated that Cook’s decision to bat again after his bowlers had scythed through Pakistan’s batting was a case of timid captaincy, especially considering the lack of confidence in the visitor’s top-order batsmen.
Bari felt the fear of a potential Pakistan comeback and facing leg-spinner Yasir Shah in the fourth-innings made Cook and co take a negative decision, despite the Englishmen bossing the 30-year-old in the first innings.
“They don’t want to bat in the fourth innings,” he said. “I don’t think it is a bold decision. With a lead of almost 400, they should have asked Pakistan to bat again, keeping in mind that the Pakistan top-order is under such intense pressure.”
Arthur urges Pakistan to bat well as England opt against follow-on
Tail keeps Pakistan in the game
Earlier on day three, in reply to England’s mammoth 589-8 (dec), Pakistan had crashed to 119-8 before a 60-run stand for the ninth wicket between skipper Misbahul Haq and Wahab Riaz rescued the team and took the score to 198.
Misbah was the only Pakistani batsman to score a half-century but fell for 52, while Wahab made a career-best 39.
“Pakistan reached 198 due to Misbah and the tail-enders; the top-order has no confidence, there were too many soft dismissals, the batsmen aren’t learning from their mistakes and are getting out playing poor shots,” said Bari. “No partnerships were established and had it not been for the lower order, Pakistan would have capitulated for an even more embarrassing total.”
The tail’s effort of keeping England at bay felt all the more important after rain interrupted the day’s play in the final session.
England 98-1 against Pakistan, lead by 489 at 3rd day close
Batsmen must show more fight
Despite Pakistan’s current bleak scenario, Bari is still clinging onto the hopes of a Pakistan fight-back, urging the batsmen to show more grit and defiance in the second innings.
“I want them to fight now,” he said. “England fought at Lord’s and Pakistan must fight it out fully in this Test. They shouldn’t give it up so easily. The second innings is vital — not only for this game but, in the context of the remainder of the series, psychologically too.
Second Test: Root punishes Pakistan
No one shared Yasir’s burden
Bari also lamented the lack of support for leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who was taken for 213 runs in 54 overs — the third-most expensive bowling figures in Pakistan’s Test history and added that once England’s tormentor at Lord’s was neutralised, Misbah didn’t have any option to fall back on.
The fitness of the four-pronged attack also remains a concern for Bari. “No one shared the burden when Yasir was under pressure; there was no back up,” he said. “We need to look after the four bowlers since their workload was intense, and if one of the bowlers breaks down, you are almost out of the game there and then.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2016.