Pakistan's batting crisis has reached another low point, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed admitting that his side's performances with the bat have become a serious concern after another collapse against England at Lord's.
Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in their first innings of the second Test, handing England a 180-run first-innings lead and leaving themselves with an enormous task to save the match.
The latest collapse was particularly damaging because it followed a similar pattern to the first Test. Pakistan's batting has deteriorated with every innings of the series, and their inability to spend meaningful time at the crease has left their bowlers with almost no margin for error.
“The batting is a concern,” Sarfaraz admitted.
“In both Tests we haven't batted well. We try to create a combination that strengthens the batting. But unfortunately, that didn't work this innings either.”
Pakistan's Batting Has Gone From Bad to Worse
The numbers paint an alarming picture.
Each of Pakistan's three innings in the series has produced a lower score than the previous one, while the number of balls faced has also fallen each time.
Their first innings of the series produced 171 at Headingley.
They then managed just 159 in the second innings.
At Lord's, the slide continued dramatically as Pakistan were dismissed for 110.
England's bowlers needed barely a session to dismantle the Pakistani batting order, turning what had been a competitive position into a commanding advantage.
The collapse also continued a worrying pattern from the first Test, when Pakistan repeatedly squandered promising starts and failed to build partnerships.
Sarfaraz Calls for More Patience
Sarfaraz believes Pakistan's biggest problem is not simply shot selection but an inability to survive the difficult opening period against England's attack.
Azan Awais provided the clearest example of what Pakistan needed from their batters.
The young batter faced 102 balls and top-scored with 46, showing the application that had been missing from the rest of the lineup.
“The team keeps getting out in 30-odd overs,” Sarfaraz said.
“We're unable to spend time at the crease. They're challenging conditions for batters, but you're rewarded if you spend time at the crease.”
According to Sarfaraz, the first 30 to 40 balls are the key period for a batter in English conditions.
“The first 30-40 balls are difficult for batters, but if you get out of them, you'll find it easier, like Azan did.”
It is an obvious formula, but Pakistan have repeatedly failed to execute it.
Domestic Cricket Under the Spotlight
Sarfaraz also suggested that Pakistan's batting problems extend beyond the current tour.
With several players' techniques coming under scrutiny, the head coach urged the country's batters to spend more time playing first-class cricket.
“You must play domestic cricket. If you're not playing domestic cricket, that's on you. It will always help you.”
The comments are significant given the questions that have surrounded Pakistan's batting depth and preparation.
The current squad has struggled to cope with England's pace attack, particularly once the new ball begins to move. Rather than absorbing pressure and building partnerships, Pakistan have repeatedly given England openings through loose shots and poor concentration.
Pakistan Face Another Impossible-Looking Chase
England had already established a 180-run first-innings lead by the time Pakistan were dismissed.
Things then became even worse.
By the time bad light brought play to an end, England had added another 81 runs, stretching their overall advantage to 261.
Pakistan now face the prospect of needing a fourth-innings chase of potentially 300 or more simply to escape with a draw.
Sarfaraz, however, has not completely abandoned hope.
“Strange things happen in cricket, so I'm still hopeful,” he said.
“There's still one innings left. If we can get them out in the next 70-80 runs and chase down a target around 300-350, there's a chance.”
History suggests otherwise.
Pakistan have never successfully chased more than 300 in the fourth innings of a Test in England. This Pakistan side have also failed to score 200 in an innings on this tour.
To make matters worse, they are likely to be without Imam-ul-Haq for the remainder of the match after he suffered a calf injury.
Another Collapse Raises Bigger Questions
Sarfaraz's admission that the batting is a concern is difficult to dispute.
Pakistan's bowlers have repeatedly given their team opportunities in this series, only for the batters to squander them.
At Lord's, their bowlers initially kept England under pressure, but the advantage disappeared almost immediately once Pakistan's batters returned to the crease.
The result is a familiar one: England are in control, Pakistan are staring at another defeat, and the team's batting problems are becoming impossible to ignore.
Sarfaraz may still believe that “strange things happen in cricket”.
But for Pakistan to turn this Test around, something far more unusual will be required — a batting performance that has simply not been seen from them on this tour.
