ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interim red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood has voiced deep concern over the national side’s limited exposure to Test cricket, saying irregular scheduling has hindered player development and consistency. His comments came after South Africa defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the second and final Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, levelling the two-match series 1-1.
“Unfortunately, we played a Test match before this in January and we will play next in March,” Azhar said at the post-match press conference. “We have to play Test matches regularly to be able to cope with these issues. We have played only four Test matches over the four years we have met after long gaps. That doesn’t really help.”
Pakistan last played a Test series against the West Indies in January, which ended in a draw. In December 2024, South Africa completed a 2-0 clean sweep at home, while earlier that year, Pakistan beat England 2-1 in Multan. Bangladesh, however, had whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi in August.
‘Domestic Cricket Is the Best Answer’
Reflecting on the Rawalpindi surface, Azhar praised the pitch conditions compared to recent contests. “There was spin, but there was also return for batters who applied themselves, while fast bowlers also flourished,” he said.
“If we want to keep making such pitches, then we have to ensure we provide the same in domestic cricket so that our batters learn how to go about their game in these conditions,” Azhar added.
He stressed the importance of domestic cricket as a foundation for mental and technical resilience. “When you play regular domestic cricket, you learn how to respond to difficult periods. However, only playing Test cricket doesn’t give you that opportunity if you go through a bad patch. So, I think, domestic cricket is the best answer.”
‘Losing 22 Wickets for 93 Runs Is Not Acceptable’
The head coach did not mince words over Pakistan’s dramatic batting collapse in the Test. The hosts lost 22 wickets for just 93 runs across their final four innings.
“In the recent camps, we’ve tried to send this message to the players. If your top seven score 250–260 runs, the lower order also needs to show up. I think this was the difference between the two teams,” Azhar said.
Before the match, he had warned that lower-order contributions would be crucial, referencing South Africa’s 90-run stand for the final four wickets in the first Test.
Speaking again after the defeat, he pointed out that Pakistan’s batters lacked clarity in their approach. “You can take Muthusamy’s example. He scored from sweeps and reverse sweeps through the course of his innings. I think we were blocking a bit too much, whereas we should have tried to challenge the opposition bowlers,” Azhar noted.
“This requires a lot of mental toughness. A player should have full expertise and awareness about his attacking and defensive options,” he said.
‘We Paid the Price for Missed Chances’
Azhar identified the first innings as the turning point. “The turning point of the match was when we failed to capitalise on a 300-plus score in the first innings as our last five wickets fell cheaply,” he said.
“Then we also have to give credit to how Muthusamy and Rabada played, but we spilled around five chances in South Africa’s first innings. When you do that against a quality side, you pay for it.”
Pakistan will now shift focus to the white-ball leg of South Africa’s tour. The two teams will meet in a five-day T20I series from October 28 to November 1 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad led by Salman Ali Agha.
Following the T20Is, Pakistan and South Africa will play a three-match ODI series at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium from November 4–8. Another three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 11–15.
