Misbah: Our batting was the culprit

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq expressed disappointment in the collective fruitfulness of a reasonably inexperienced batting order, after Pakistan slumped to a 24-run defeat to Zimbabwe.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq expressed disappointment in the collective fruitfulness of a reasonably inexperienced batting order, after Pakistan slumped to a 24-run defeat to Zimbabwe on day five of the second Test at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
While Misbah and fellow veteran Younis Khan cherished a fine stretch of form throughout the two-match series and opener Khurram Manzoor showed promise with twin half-centuries, wicketkeeper-batsman Adnan Akmal and middle-order duo Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq struggled.
"Our batting was the culprit on a pitch which was good for batting. In both innings we couldn't cross 250. We only crossed 300 once in the four innings on this tour. How can you win a Test match without scoring 300 runs? I dont know," said Misbah.
"These youngsters were really performing well in pressure series against Sri Lanka and England, but at the moment, they are struggling. Zimbabwe really exploited our inexperience. We were positive right from the start and decided wherever we can attack them, we'll do it. That's how we approached it but nobody could stand."
The position of limited-overs skipper Mohammad Hafeez in the Test team, meanwhile, remained in the balance. Hafeez's four innings in Zimbabwe brought a mere 69 runs, while his off-spin was hardly required.
"It's a big concern because he was in good form in the ODIs and he did not contribute in Tests. It's not my decision, it's a board decision so let's see," added Misbah.
"It matters when your team performs. If your team is losing, you really hurt as a captain. You don't want to lose or tie these sort of series. You win matches as a team, you can't win matches as individuals. You really need to stand up as a team."
Latest
-
News
England paceman James Anderson keen to prove fitness ahead of India Test
The 39-year-old sat out the final match against New Zealand at Headingley due to concerns over his left ankle but says it now feels “pretty good”.
-
News
Andrew Gale ‘not willing to engage’ in ‘tainted’ ECB racism disciplinary process
Gale denied Azeem Rafiq’s allegations against him and described him as an “embittered former colleague”.
-
News
Andrew Gale will not engage with ECB disciplinary process over racism claims
Gale was sacked by Yorkshire last year but earlier this month won an unfair dismissal claim against the club.
-
News
Michael Vaughan ‘steps back’ from BBC work after staff raise concerns
The former England captain had recently returned to Test Match Special coverage.
-
News
Simon Harmer bowls Essex to thrilling win while Surrey dominate Kent
Spinner Harmer took 15 wickets in the match as his side held off Hampshire by 12 runs.
-
News
Sciver stars and Davidson-Richards makes history – day two in the women’s Test
The England pair’s maiden Test centuries took their side past South Africa’s total at Taunton.
-
News
Alice Davidson-Richards savours debut century as England take upper hand
The all-rounder joined only WG Grace with a hundred and a wicket on Test debut for England.
-
News
Sciver and Davidson-Richards hit maiden Test centuries to put England on top
The home side had struggled to 121 for five before the pair began their rescue act.
-
News
Eoin Morgan – On leadership, that Lord’s final and letting go
Morgan has announced his international retirement.
-
News
Eoin Morgan steps away rather than feel ‘like an imposter’ for England
The World Cup-winning captain has struggled for form and fitness in recent months.