KARACHI: Dejected Pakistan captain Azhar Ali says that one bad session at Old Trafford made all the difference during his team’s 1-0 defeat against in the weather-disrupted Test series against England.

Addressing the virtual post-series media conference shortly after the third Test concluded in a predictable stalemate at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday, the 35-year-old Azhar further said there were lots of positives despite Pakistan losing their 10-year unbeaten run in England.

“If I reflect back now we lost the series purely because of one poor session during the first Test [in Manchester] after being certain of victory, that is until Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes came together,” Azhar told reporters late on Tuesday.

“That [sixth wicket] partnership [of 139] ultimately cost Pakistan the series. It turned out to be a great seesaw contest but having said that, I still think we should have won. But credit to Buttler and Woakes for the way they counterattacked to take the game away from us.”

England’s scrappy three-wicket win led to a spate of criticism from former players and pundits at Azhar’s passive style of leadership — particularly from fast-bowling legend and ex-Pakistan captain Wasim Akram who was on the commentary panel for the series — with calls for the current Test team leader to resign.

Captain backs struggling Asad Shafiq

“The change of negative reactions is nothing new in Pakistan cricket. Personally I’ve have respect for all of them. They have every right to criticise since the [end] result didn’t go our way,” Azhar said. “It was really tough on the players and backroom staff after Pakistan lost up there at Old Trafford.

“Obviously we all feel sad because our aim hasn’t been fulfilled and that was to not just to draw the series but to win it this time. Had the result of first Test gone our way, I would be sitting here [at this presser] as a winner. The disappointment [of not winning] will remain.

“This is part and parcel of the game where you can only hope to learn from the mistakes and rectify them by grabbing the available opportunity next time. They [critics] don’t realise the first-hand situation on the ground because as captain your mind is all the time thinking who are your go-to bowlers at that given time and also worry if those bowlers are willing to do the job required of them.”

The captain did admit it was a difficult period for him following the loss in Manchester, but he never thought of calling it quits.

“As I said earlier, it was a tough time after we lost that first Test and the entire blame was put on my shoulders. It wasn’t easy to be honest but I pledged to myself that how can we come back and finish the series on a strong note,” Azhar expressed.

“My entire focus is on that matter and my own form. But I never thought of quitting the captaincy.

“The turnaround in my batting fortunes was purely a technical thing. I wasn’t getting side on while facing the bowler and was always a leg-before candidate. Even [ex-England skipper and now TV commentator] Nasser Hussain pointed this out during the first Test.

“I then started working on this fault with the help of backroom staff and felt quite good in the second Test [at the Ageas Bowl]. The comfort level of my game improved but questions were still fired at my lack of runs because I made only 20,” the skipper remarked.

“Fortunately, it all came good in the third Test and I rate this century [unbeaten 141] as a defining moment of my career. I’m proud to be a member of the 6,000-run club [Azhar also improved in the ICC batting rankings by 11 places to 23rd].”

Azhar defended his long-time friend and team-mate Asad Shafiq after the latter endured a miserable series — mustering just 67 runs from five innings — while stating the 35-year-old right-hander is a class act.

“I think Asad was extremely unfortunate in this series not to make big runs, but I felt he was one innings away from coming into top form. He was desperately unlucky to be run out [for 29 at Old Trafford] when he was set,” the captain explained.

“In hindsight I think that second-innings mishap probably prevented us from setting England a target of over 300. But Asad is a proven performer with centuries in South Africa, Australia and England in the past, and will Insha’Allah hit his straps soon.”

Talking of positives during the series, Azhar showered praise on wicket-keeper/batsman Mohammad Rizwan, who was declared by England head coach Chris Silverwood as Pakistan’s man-of-the-series.

“It was pleasing to see Rizwan come of age on this tour. He’s a real fighter who will keep on battling until the very end. He saved Pakistan from a precarious spot in the second Test while batting with the tail and here in this Test he partnered me in a 100-lus stand,” Azhar commented. “And then they were other positives lie Shan Masood making 156 at Old Trafford, Abid Ali batting for long periods, Babar Azam showcasing his class. The bowlers too were good at times.”

In the end, Azhar, who became James Anderson’s 600th Test victim, lauded the veteran seamer by cheekily saying: “Well at least, I get more air time because the TV broadcasters will show that wicket again and again! Anyways, I found him extremely tough to tackle, especially in English conditions. Jimmy deserves to be congratulated.”

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2020