Former greats rue slip-ups for Sri Lanka defeat
The third and final Test ended in a draw on Thursday, handing Sri Lanka their first series win in three years after their 209-run victory in the first game in Galle.
It is Pakistan's first Test series defeat since the notorious England tour in 2010, which they lost 3-1 and was marred by the spot-fixing scandal at Lord's.
The result also ends Misbah-ul Haq's unbeaten run in seven series as captain, a spell that included a 3-0 whitewash of world number one Test team England in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year.
Former captain Aamer Sohail said missed opportunities cost Pakistan dearly.
"Pakistan had opportunities in all three Tests but they let them slip away and that cost them the series," Sohail told AFP.
"Pakistan didn't read the pitches correctly in all three Tests of this series and that's why they didn't select the right combination of 11 players."
Former chair of selectors Sohail said Misbah was short of ideas for how to use his bowlers in Sri Lankan conditions.
Former batsman Basit Ali blamed off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was the tourists' top wicket-taker in the series with 15, for being ineffective.
"In my opinion Ajmal did not do as much as he should have done," said Ali. "Ajmal didn't bowl as well as he could have in the final Test.
"That's why I believe (coach Dav) Whatmore needs a bowling coach for his assistance. Pakistan didn't give new ball to Mohammad Sami in the final Test which was surprising for me because Sami is very fast and could have done well."
Ali praised Asad Shafiq, who scored his second Test ton in the last match, as an outstanding batsman for the future.
Former paceman Jalaluddin praised left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan as the find of the series.
"Junaid really impressed in this series," he said of the paceman, who finished with 14 wickets in three Tests. "He showed a lot of progress and can go places in the future."
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Basit Ali says "Pakistan didn’t give new ball to Mohammad Sami in the final Test which was surprising for me because Sami is very fast and could have done well.”
so people are still begging to continue with this 31 year old "ultra fast" bowler with bowling average of 53.....do you know SAMI has highest average for any regular bowler who is playing in team as bowler...in the history of test cricket.....even after playing more that 30 tests....he is still considered as a "potential"...just get rid of him...bring in young players like Sadaf (22 years only)...
Well they should stop blaming Misbah's tactics and Ajmal for the defeat. There was no play on 2nd day and that extra amount of pressure on Lankan batsmen was off and they knew if they cant win they can draw for sure. Though fielding needs desperate improvement and as long as players dont take interest then even Jonty Rhodes cannot do anything.
Plus a reserve day in test matches should be introduced.