Follow UsPakistan were comfortably placed at 150/4, with a 260-run lead over the Proteas on day three of the first Test in Lahore, on October 14 (Tuesday). But that’s where the cookie started to crumble, as the Asian side endured a humiliating collapse, which saw them lose their next six wickets for just 17 runs.
Eventually, Pakistan folded for just 167, as they saw their humongous advantage get reduced to a mere advantage. Pakistan’s lower order (6-11) could only add 30 runs to their scorecard, leaving head coach Azhar Mahmood extremely disappointed. After the day’s play, Mahmood admitted that the shot selection from the batters was ‘poor’.
"We put ourselves in this situation [where South Africa have a chance in the game]," Mahmood said at the press conference, reported ESPNCricinfo. "We were 150 for 4, and then lost 6 for 17. No one is to blame but our shot selection and decision-making.
"It's simple. If you lose 6 for 17, that's not ideal. The pitch allowed the ball to break but the pitch didn't get anyone out. Our shot selection was not good. This is something we need to improve. If we're going to play on these pitches, we have to have the patience to bat on them."
In particular, Mahmood was cross with Saud Shakeel’s decision-making as the left-handed batter tried to launch Senuran Muthusamy over the boundary ropes just before Tea.
"You understand in Test cricket when you're vulnerable, and it's often at the end of sessions," he said.
"Saud Shakeel played that expansive lofted shot just before tea. It was unnecessary to put that pressure on himself at that stage. After tea, [Mohammad] Rizwan got out immediately. We sent in Shaheen [Shah Afridi] to up the ante, but the other batters didn't have to play the same high-risk shots. Even if we had added 25-30 runs when we sent Shaheen in, that would have been hugely advantageous to us."
However, in response, South Africa already find themselves in a pickle, losing two of their best batters – Aiden Markram (3) and Wiaan Mulder (0) – early in the run chase. At 51/2, they still need 226 runs on a surface that could see spinners dominating on day four.