PAKISTAN face a tough climb back up the international Test rankings after the team’s limitations were exposed at Headingley early this month.

Pakistan were in buoyant mood following an unexpected and convincing win at Lord’s, but any euphoria quickly evaporated in overcast conditions on the first day. Test cricket is the toughest of formats and progress is slow and hard earned. We will learn over the coming years if this Pakistan squad has the stomach for it.The toss had seemed a good one to win on an easy paced track, and most international teams would have backed themselves to score heavily. But Headingley is a deceptive ground, where the elements heavily influence the outcome. As Pakistan’s openers took guard, a heavy cloud cover contrasted sharply with the straw coloured pitch. And it was these overhead conditions that helped swing the ball and the match away from Pakistan’s batsmen.

England needed little encouragement. Their pride was dented by losing a Test to such an inexperienced team as Pakistan’s. Stuart Broad, in particular, found a fuller length that encouraged movement and exposed the techniques of Pakistan’s top order. As well as Broad bowled, Pakistan didn’t help themselves by playing much more loosely than at Lord’s. The iron discipline that had impressed so much was absent at Headingley.

By the time England batted, the sun shone and Pakistan didn’t find enough movement to trouble their opponents. That first day effectively settled the match and levelled the series. Pakistan never looked capable of turning events in their favour, and that is the issue that needs to be focused on.

When the experience and the quality of the current Pakistan team is considered, drawing a Test series in England is a good outcome.

Over the two games, Pakistan were hard working, committed, and played close to their potential. There is depth in this team, in both batting and bowling, and the fielding is as good as we’ve seen from Pakistan. Much of this depth is thanks to allrounders Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf. Shadab, in particular, looks a bright prospect.

This Pakistan is young and will improve with experience. The coaching staff need credit for persuading their young players to absorb the right mindset to succeed in international cricket. These are good omens for Pakistan, and suggest that success in Test cricket isn’t a forlorn hope. Still, some fundamental issues must be addressed. First, Pakistan don’t yet possess any world class talent. Shadab and Babar might one day reach that level, but they are at the beginning of their careers. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq are closer to elite status and they now need to dominate and lead in the way that their immediate predecessors Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq once did. Mohammad Amir was once considered world class, but he hasn’t shown that level of performance since returning from his ban.

Next, Pakistan’s bowling attack lacks pace, which meant that the slower pitch at Headingley worked against them. Also, unusually for a Pakistan team, there is no pace option. The country of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar must have more to offer? Amir was sharp when he began his career but he has lost his edge with a drop in speed.Pakistan were also short of spin threat in this series. After years of plenty with Saeed Ajmal and then Yasir Shah, Shadab didn’t pose enough problems for England’s batsmen. Shadab has potential for growth as a spinner but he isn’t quite ready to be a number one. This issue will be resolved when Yasir returns, and the challenge then will be to see how the selectors juggle places for both Yasir and Shadab.

Two further areas of uncertainty are the opening slot and Sarfraz Ahmed’s batting form. Sarfraz might be helped by dropping down the order, since Shadab seems to possess the temperament to become a top six Test batsman. In terms of the openers, the question is whether Azhar is better placed at number three? Pakistan missed the chance to test that approach at Headingley by not selecting an opener in place of Babar.In future years Pakistan may look back at this tour of England as a valuable experience. Their strengths took them to a stunning victory at Lord’s, while their limitations were glaringly exposed at Headingley. The measure of this Pakistan team will be how it learns from these mixed performances, and whether it can overcome its weaknesses.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2018