Pakistan's Struggles Continue After Defeat to England: Abbas Addresses Concerns

After a disappointing defeat to England at Lord's, Pakistani bowler Mohammed Abbas spoke candidly about the team's struggles. He acknowledged the widespread concern regarding their performance, particularly in batting, bowling, and fielding. Abbas emphasized the need for improvement, especially in fielding, where dropped catches proved costly. Despite his personal success in taking nine wickets, the team's lack of victories remains troubling. With an inexperienced bowling attack, Abbas believes experience is crucial for success in Test cricket. As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming Test at Edgbaston, they aim to turn their fortunes around and secure vital points in the World Test Championship.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 31, 2026, 17:13 IST

Pakistan's Recent Performance Under Scrutiny

Following a significant loss to England at Lord's, Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Abbas expressed that the team is acutely aware of their ongoing challenges and that there is widespread concern regarding their performance. Historically, Pakistan was a formidable opponent in English conditions, particularly during the late 1980s and 1990s. However, recent years have seen a downturn, with the team struggling in Test matches both domestically and internationally. Their latest defeat by 194 runs at Lord's marks their 10th loss in the last 11 away Tests, leaving them at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship standings.

Performance a 'Concern for Everyone'

In a post-match interview, Abbas acknowledged the team's awareness of their situation in the Test format. He stated, "Our performance is a concern for everyone. Everyone is worried, including the selection committee and the NCA. We recognize that we are not performing well in batting, bowling, or fielding, and we discuss these issues regularly in our meetings. We are all committed to improving."

Dropped Catches Proved Costly

Abbas highlighted fielding as a critical area needing improvement, noting, "We dropped catches, allowing their key players to score an additional 70 runs. That was a turning point in the match, as we could have bowled them out for 200. It's disappointing."

Balancing Personal Achievements with Team Goals

On a personal note, Mohammad Abbas excelled by taking nine wickets in the Test, including his first five-wicket haul at Lord's. However, he expressed concern over the team's inability to secure victories despite his individual performances. "While personal achievements are significant, my goal is to contribute to the team's success. I have performed well in several matches, but the team has not won," he remarked.

Inexperienced Bowling Attack a Factor

Abbas also pointed out that the lack of experience in Pakistan's bowling lineup has been detrimental. He mentioned, "In Bangladesh, we had a different bowling combination. We won a Test in the West Indies. The players are adjusting, but experience is crucial in Test cricket." While Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad have some domestic experience, they lack extensive international exposure. Abbas, with 32 Test matches under his belt, noted, "The fast bowlers alongside me are relatively new to Test cricket, but everyone is striving to improve."

Looking Ahead

Pakistan aims to break their current slump and secure a much-needed victory along with vital World Test Championship points in the upcoming Test at Edgbaston, starting September 9.