Pakistan may have lost their Test series in South Africa 2-0, but skipper Shan Masood has seen enough of his team to believe there are better days ahead as they held out for long periods in difficult conditions.
South Africa won the first Test in Pretoria by two wickets despite being reduced to 99-8 chasing 148 on a difficult surface, before a more comprehensive 10-wicket win in Cape Town on Monday.
But even in their latest defeat, Pakistan showed fight as they scored 478 in their second innings, led by Masood who scored 145.
“There were a lot of good things (in the series),” Masoud said. “Knowing that we did really well in (Pretoria) but we didn’t finish it. Even here, we didn’t start well with the ball and the bat.”
“We conceded too many runs at the start and then walked away with the bat (in the first innings) on a really nice surface. But after the fight, we had our highest score against South Africa in Test cricket. Individually, people stepped up.”
Mesut will rue the fact that his side allowed South Africa to score 615 runs in the first innings, which meant the tourists were always chasing the game.
Not that this is anything new, Pakistan have played well recently but have also performed poorly under pressure. Masood will be hoping they will be more consistent in the upcoming two-Test series at home against the West Indies which begins on January 17.
Masoud said: “We have to learn how to win decisive moments. “We bounced back well against England (to win the group 2-1 in October last year). With our backs against the wall, we put in a good performance.
“But we need to learn how to bowl the first shot. We have a lot of young cricketers who will learn, and fortunately we go straight into another series with the West Indies. A lot of individuals in this team have stepped up when needed.”
South Africa made light work of a modest target of 58 to beat Pakistan by 10 wickets at Newlands on Monday, wrapping up the series 2-0 within four days of the second and final Test.
South Africa have won their last seven Tests in a row, the second-best streak behind the nine-match winning streak between 2002-03. It’s the perfect preparation for their appearance in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15.