PAK vs ENG 2022: I think it should have been more supportive – Saqlain Mushtaq on Rawalpindi pitch

Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq reckons the Rawalpindi pitch should have been more supportive to the bowlers. England piled up 506-4 in 75 overs on the opening day of the first Test match after Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first.

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave a fine start to their team as the duo put together a gargantuan alliance of 233 runs for the opening stand. Duckett was dismissed after scoring 107 and Crawley soon followed his opening partner into the dressing but not before scoring a brilliant knock of 122 runs.

The two successive wickets however didn’t bring any respite for the Pakistan bowlers as Ollie Pope was able to get going. Joe Root was dismissed cheaply for 23 runs but Pope scored 108 whereas Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 101 at the end of the day’s play.

England scored their runs at a run rate of 6.75 and put on a carnage against the home team. The pitch didn’t provide any assistance to the Pakistan bowlers and it was a batting paradise.

England also broke Australia’s record for most runs on the first day of the Test match. Australia had scored 494-6 in 1910 against South Africa in Sydney.

Saqlain Mushtaq said in the press conference, “England played very well today, and we could not bowl according to our plan. There was also a problem with the pitch, and I think it should have been more supportive. They just outclassed us, and we must credit them. No doubt, England played well on the first day, but we should (not) think about the result as of yet.”

Mushtaq doffed his hat to the England batters for their fine display of batting. The former off-spinner added the tourists planned well against them.

“Muhammad Ali was performing well in domestic cricket, while Abrar and Zahid were also putting up wonderful performances in the camp. We strive to be fair in the selection of the team.”

He continued: “Both the players were bowling brilliantly in the camp and were doing what they were supposed to do. We needed a bowler who can bowl in long spells with Haris and Naseem. But credit goes to England who had planned well against us.”

England has put themselves in a commanding position and they would want to carry the same on Day 2.