YOUSUF: ALI'S GOT REASON TO BE PROUD

SAJ SADIQ discusses the main talking points from the series with former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yussuf

- SAJ SADIQ

After dominating most of the first Test match at Old Trafford but then finding themselves on the wrong end of a superb match-winning partnership by Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler, before being frustrated by the weather in Southampton, Pakistan headed into the final Test of the three-match series against England with the morale-boosting chance of coming away with honor intact.

While Pakistan have shown glimpses of the talent at their disposal during the Test series, they were found wanting when it really mattered in the first match at Manchester.

And it was a similar story on Friday when a blistering partnership from Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler put England in firm control of the third and final Test at Southampton.

Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf, who averaged 54.33 in eight Tests in England, feels that the tourists’ lack of cricket coming into the series has been a major disadvantage.

“Pakistan faced an uphill task against England as they hadn’t played any international cricket since February and that was clearly a factor at Old Trafford,” Yousuf told The TCP.

“Pakistan faltered when it really mattered due to a lack of match practice and their fitness levels were not up to the mark on the fourth and final day when they needed that final push.

“England came into the series having played three Tests against West Indies and were confident after back-to-back wins which was clearly an advantage. It doesn’t matter what the Pakistani players or coaching staff say, there is nothing quite like match practice and I believe that intra-squad matches were not the ideal preparation ahead of a series in tough conditions.”