Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Monday said the curator of the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground took his inputs but never provided the track he demanded as the hosts lost the first Test against England by 74 runs.
Babar Azam breaks silence on Rawalpindi pitch controversy after England defeat (AP Photo)
By India Today Web DeskPakistan captain Babar Azam broke his silence on the Rawalpindi pitch after England’s resounding victory in the first Test, saying he didn’t get the kind of wicket he wanted in the match. Babar revealed that the curator of the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground took inputs from him.
England declared a game, setting Pakistan a target of 343 in over 100 overs, but the hosts were bowled out for 268 on the final day. England scored over 500 runs on the first day, including seven centuries in the first two innings.
Babar said, ‘Yes I had a contribution in preparing the pitch and we had made it clear what we wanted but due to weather or any reason we did not get it. But we wanted a track with some turn for the spinners. A post match conference on Monday.
The Pakistan skipper credited England for continuing to play with the same positive intent, but also mildly criticized their bowlers for their waywardness.
“We were hoping that they would continue to play like this against us. I think as a captain it becomes difficult when your bowlers are not hitting the right areas and scoring runs on both sides of the wicket. Batted in both the innings,” he said.
“It is never easy to come back after the opposition have scored 500 on the first day, but I thought we batted well and came close to their score, but in the second innings our batsmen did not rise to the occasion,” he said.
Babar had no hesitation in admitting that it was disappointing to let such an opportunity to win a Test match slip away.
“I thought we were very much in the game today after lunch to win the match, unfortunately we lost back to back wickets and it didn’t help. But Anderson and Robinson bowled brilliantly.”