Batsmen didn't have any clue on handling reverse swing: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq admitted that the batsmen fond it hard to negotiate against the reverse swing generated by the England bowlers on the final day of the third Test match at Edgbaston.

“Until lunch it was easy,” Misbah said. “But after lunch they got it reversing and we were not having any clue. We were trying to cope with it, but we could not handle it.”

Pakistan had a lead of over 100 runs in the first innings, but England came back really well to take over the deficit and to grab the game.

“Anderson and Broad are used to these conditions. They are really experienced. Full credit to England for the way they fought back after we had a lead of more than 100,” said Misbah, who was one of the batsmen who tumbled in the second session of play.

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“I think we’ll just have to send someone to learn from England now how they’re reversing this ball. We could not do it even on the fourth day. I think they are really doing it well,” he opinioned.

Emergence of Sami Aslam:

Sami Aslam, who played his first match of the series impressed one and all with his batting in both the innings. “Sami looks a compact player and has shown great temperament,” Misbah said. “I am happy that he did well against such type of bowling: experienced bowlers in their own conditions. The way he handled the pressure was good to see. It’s good to find this sort of opener for Pakistan.”

All-rounder scenario:

The skipper also feels that the Pakistan is lacking a quality all-rounder. “But having just four bowlers is a problem. We used to have Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik who could bowl, but here we don’t have that option now. England has Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes. Here Yasir Shah carries a tremendous load and this is a problem for us,” he concluded.