Shan terms stand between Saud-Rizwan game-changer

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan finished off West Indies in less than three days in the opening Test at Multan Stadium Sunday, captain Shan Masood termed the stand between Saud Shakil and Mohammad Rizwan as the one that changed fate of the series opener.

In a post-match media talk, Shan rated the track as challenging for the batsmen. “Their over 140-run stand in the first innings tilted the balance in Pakistan’s favour. The stand between Rizwan and Saud was even higher than the team’s entire innings total. It was never easier to play long innings on a track that was turning square.

Yet the two accepted the challenge and raised a match-winning innings.” However, Shan rued missed the opportunity of not posting even better in both the innings. “We should have scored an even bigger first innings total. We were eyeing setting over 300-run target for the West Indies to achieve the win.

We were hoping to get a few more runs from lower-order. Scoring fifties or hundreds are not as important in such scenario it is more about chipping in 20s and 30s which ultimately help in getting a bigger total.”

The Test captain also praised the role of Abrar Ahmed for playing a part in the win. “His wickets were crucial especially in the second innings as he played his third spinner role perfectly well. He gave us crucial breakthroughs and was right up to the mark when it was required.”

Shan felt sorry for pace bowlers but was of the view that their turn comes when Pakistan would play on surfaces most suited to the seam bowling. “Here we are playing to our strength and we have every right to do that. Seamers’ turn will come when we play in away series or when a subcontinent team visits us.”

Shan hoped to continue in the same vein in the second Test. “Hopefully we will continue good work going into the second Test in five days’ time.” On Pakistan’s future Test series, he said there were urgent requirements for making early plans.

“We have to start next cycle’s preparations at the earliest meaning we need more Tests at home and at the same time requirement is to prepare our resources for away Test series well in time. We are just playing five odd Tests at home in a year’s time which is not sufficient.”

On Pakistan batsmen’s plight on such wickets which were on offer at home during the last three Tests (two against England and one against West Indies), Shan said that it was all about playing for the country and the team.

“Individuals do not come first. It is all about playing for the team and how to win Tests. We would continue to support curating those pitches where we think we have better chances of winning the matches, irrespective of individual fifties and hundreds.”