Shan Masood has reflected upon his call to declare early in the first Test against Bangladesh and admitted that he felt after the game that they could have added another 50-100 runs. Pakistan made a surprise and bold call to declare the first innings 448 for 6. However, the move backfired when Bangladesh ended up scoring 565 and Pakistan were bundled out for just 146 in the second innings.
The visitors then completed a historic 10-wicket win to take the lead in the series. Speaking about the call at the post-match press conference, Masood said that the decision was made keeping the weather in mind as there was prediction for rain throughout the game. The Pakistan skipper said that in the end, they collectively made a lot of mistakes and Bangladesh were worthy winners.
“We had the weather in mind and pushed on for declaration. If you ask me now, we would have liked another 50-100 runs and it would have kept us in the game. But as a team we made a lot of mistakes over the 4 days and Bangladesh were worthy winners,” said Masood.
Masood said that he didn’t feel that the Rawalpindi pitch was docile and had enough for the seamers. The Pakistan skipper felt that his side lost the game as a bowling unit with the second new ball as they failed to impose themselves.
He said it was the matter of a couple of mistakes in the end.
“Over the 4 days, I don’t think the pitch was docile. The pitch had enough for the seamers. But if you look at the way they played, they were very disciplined. In the end, we gave them a few chances when Mehedy and Mushfiqur were playing.”
“As a bowling unit, where I felt we lost the game, was the second new ball. That’s when we were 200 runs ahead in the game and they had lost 5 wickets. That’s where we could have imposed ourselves. That’s where we kind of let ourselves down. And then the final day. So it’s a couple of mistakes,” said Masood.
The second and final Test between both teams will begin on August 30.
