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Pakistan not learning from mistakes, says Shoaib

Former cricketer laments yet another frustrating outing with the bat by visitors

Our Correspondent November 20, 2016

Pakistan once again were unable to handle New Zealand’s attack and lost wickets at regular intervals on the third day of the opening Test. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Shoaib Mohammad lamented Pakistan’s failure to learn from their mistakes after Misbahul Haq’s men endured yet another batting disaster against New Zealand in the opening Test.

The visitors, who were bundled out for only 133 in their first innings, were reduced to 129-7 on the second day in Christchurch.

And Shoaib, while acknowledging that the conditions were tough, believes Pakistan should have dealt with the situation better.

“Pakistan batsmen, to the frustration of many, repeated the same mistakes,” he told The Express Tribune. “After a terrible outing with the bat in the first innings, they should have been better prepared but that did not happen. Most of the batsmen gave away their wickets extremely cheaply yet again.”

New Zealand thrash Pakistan in first Test

The former Test opener further added that Pakistan were playing with the same careless attitude they showed in the series against the West Indies in the UAE.

“The batsmen also made a lot of mistakes against the West Indies; they played the short balls poorly in UAE and they are doing the same [against New Zealand].”

Shoaib also highlighted the team’s slow run-rate in both the innings. “It was understood that the conditions were going to be difficult and the bat couldn’t dominate the ball.”

Pakistan batting once again loses footing against Kiwi pacers

He added, “It’s hard to stay on the crease for long periods and Pakistan were expected to score at a much faster rate than their current pace. New Zealand did exactly that and it worked for them. The Pakistan batsmen should have rotated the strike more frequently.”

Shoaib, meanwhile, shed some positive light saying that the Pakistani bowlers have enough ability to even defend a small total. “New Zealand, no doubt, are dominating but Pakistan have a lot of quality in their bowling. The bowlers can certainly get a lot out of this track at the Hagley Oval.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2016.

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