Sarfraz blames batting after historic loss against New Zealand

Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed blamed the batting unit for their inability to score big, after Pakistan lost to New Zealand 2-1 in the three-match Test series.

“As a batting unit we have failed to get big lead in this series, this is the main reason of our defeat,” said the losing skipper, at the post match presentation on Friday. New Zealand won by 123 runs, after Pakistan batting line crumbled to 156 runs.

Pakistan was 55 for the loss of five wickets on the fifth day, the fight back from Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed also proved futile against the varied Kiwis bowling attack.

The skipper was of the view that his side needs to work on strengthening themselves mentally especially in the fifth day. “Our lower order has done a lot of hard work but unfortunately they haven't contributed as we would have liked. We have failed in 4-5 matches now on fifth day,” said Sarfraz.

The captain however, stated that the side needs to positive for a ‘difficult’ away series against South Africa, later in December. “We need to be positive in South Africa to win, it's a difficult away series.

Man of the Series, Yasir Shah expressed ‘disappointment’ over the loss, despite culminating a number of records to his tally. “I don't look at records. I am pretty disappointed as we have not won the series,” said Shah.

New Zealand sealed a 2-1 Test win against Pakistan, their first against Pakistan in an away series after 49 years.