ABU DHABI: Disgruntled coach Mickey Arthur demanded his players toughen upand seize key moments in Test matches after sloppy batting handed NewZealand an away series win over Pakistan for the first time in 49 years.
New Zealand pulled off a come-from-behind 123-run victory in the third andfinal Test in Abu Dhabi on Friday to end their long wait for a 2-1 serieswin.
Pakistan had dismissed the Kiwis for 153 in the first innings of the firstTest in Abu Dhabi only to lose by a narrow four-run margin.
Pakistan bounced back by winning the second Test in Dubai by an innings andfour runs but again failed to build a sizeable lead in the first innings ofthe third Test, a fact Arthur believes cost them the series.
“We missed opportunities and despite winning most of the sessions in thetwo losses we could not grab the moments to force a win,” Pakistan coachArthur told AFP.
“It was our series to win but we ended up as the losing side and that´shighly disappointing.”
Arthur said Pakistan not gaining big leads in the first and third Tests wascrucial.
“We have to have a look at our batting on the last day and that is tough inthe UAE,” said Arthur.
Pakistan lost all ten wickets on the final day in both the defeats. Theyhave now lost all ten wickets on the final day six times since Arthurjoined in May 2016.
Apart from the three occasions in Abu Dhabi — against Sri Lanka last yearand twice against New Zealand in this series — they also collapsed atBirmingham, Hamilton and Melbourne — all in 2016.
Arthur said he backs his players, especially under-fire senior batsmenAzhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.
Read Top Stories
“The quality is there as they are the best players in Pakistan who areworking very very hard and I back them to the hilt,” said Arthur.
“But we need to be tougher in the crucial moments and that comes to usgrabbing moments and being tough and we could not do this in this serieswhich is disappointing.”
He added: “I will defend Asad and Azhar to the hilt. Asad is a wonderfulplayer. I rate him very highly and I still feel his best days are ahead ofhim.”
Arthur now hopes Pakistan can do well in South Africa, a country where theyhave won only two Tests and were thrashed 3-0 on their last tour in 2013.
“I reckon we can go to South Africa and do well,” said Arthur.
“I believe and trust in these players, we have got some very talentedcricketers and some good young players.
“We need to nail down our good positions which we are not doing and that’sthe problem area.”
The first of three Tests starts in Centurion from December 26. – APP / AFP
