Lack of leadership in Pakistan’s pace-attack leaves them red-faced on tough day

Setting foot on English soil with a first-choice pace attack that had just 30 Tests under its belt was always going to be a risk, but Pakistan were willing to look at the optimistic side of things when the series began. An exceptional performance in the first innings at Old Trafford reassured the visitors that they’d got their picks spot on, and although there was a visible lack of direction and leadership amongst the pacers in the second innings, Pakistan chose to overlook it.  But after today, you would imagine that the Men in Green have no option but to acknowledge that they messed up - with their combination, with their selection.

Lack of turn in the wicket meant that Yasir Shah was reduced to being a mere over-filler but really, given he’s played twice as many Tests as the others, Abbas, despite being a trundler, should have led by example and lit the fire inside the youngsters. Leadership in their pace unit is something for Pakistan to ponder over, no question. 

In terms of pure glovework, it is hard to think of a better performance in recent years - that too by a touring keeper - than Rizwan’s performance in this series and specifically in this Test. Pakistan were on the field for a staggering 154.4 overs and yet his concentration remained unbroken for all 928 balls. He pulled off an exceptional dive to dismiss Root on Day 1, showcased sharp reflexes to stump Crawley deep into Day 2 and basically gobbled up anything and everything that came his way. That Rizwan conceded just four byes - Abbas was to blame for it - in an innings where England scored 583 paints the perfect picture of how flawless a wicket-keeping display it was. 

You wonder if Zak Crawley is kicking himself right now. “Why did I go for a big hit when I could have batted 30 more overs and got to my triple century?” he must be thinking. Either he is too much of a team man, or there was a breakdown in communication between the skipper and the youngster. For, England’s approach post Crawley’s dismissal - barring Woakes, I’d say - was a bit puzzling to say the least.  Buttler, the set man batting on 138*  whose game is tailor made to go berserk, made just 14 of his next 33 balls, showing no intent to get a move on, while both Broad and Bess were keen on dispatching only the bad balls.