Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has urged patience and continued support for the national Test side after their 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s, acknowledging that the team has not played its best cricket but insisting that improvement is visible.

Abbas, who took five wickets in England’s second innings and finished the match with nine wickets, said Pakistan must eliminate basic errors and convert their opportunities if they are to turn their campaign around.

“Definitely, as a team, we are not playing good cricket,” Abbas said after Sunday’s defeat at Lord’s.

However, he pointed to Pakistan’s Test victory in the West Indies and improved performances with both bat and ball as evidence that the side can still recover.

Saud Shakeel’s 97 was one of the positives for Pakistan, while Abbas said better fielding, timely wickets and stronger batting would be crucial in the final Test.

“If we try not to squander chances, get wickets at the right time and score good runs, then hopefully the win will come our way,” he said.

Abbas asks for backing

Abbas urged supporters and the media to remain behind the team as the players adjust to difficult conditions during the tour.

He noted that overseas tours often present challenges at the beginning before players become accustomed to the conditions.

“On away tours, you face challenges at the start and slowly things get settled,” Abbas said. “We need your support, and hopefully we will take this Pakistan team towards betterment.”

The experienced pacer also admitted his personal disappointment at producing strong individual performances without seeing Pakistan secure victories.

“I try to perform so that my team wins the match,” Abbas said. “Unfortunately, I am putting in performances, but the team is not winning.”

Despite the frustration, he said the players remained determined to find a way to win the next match.

Dropped catches prove costly

Fielding mistakes were among the biggest concerns highlighted by Abbas.

He pointed to dropped catches at Lord’s and said Pakistan could have restricted England to a significantly lower total had they taken their chances.

“If you see the Lord’s Test, we dropped catches, and their wicket-keeper scored 61,” he said. “That changed the match. We could have bowled them out for under 200.”

Pakistan’s inability to capitalise on opportunities allowed England to build important partnerships and put the visitors under sustained pressure.

Abbas said the team was analysing these mistakes and working to prevent similar lapses in the remaining match.

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Experience remains a challenge

The veteran pacer also acknowledged the importance of experience in Test cricket, particularly for a relatively inexperienced Pakistan squad.

He said he had played around 30 to 32 Tests, while several of his teammates have considerably less experience at the highest level.

“Yes, Test cricket experience is very important,” Abbas said, while stressing that every player was working towards the same objective of winning matches for Pakistan.

He also explained that bowlers must operate according to their individual strengths rather than simply focusing on pace.

“Every person has his own skills. I bowl according to my skills. I have never bowled at 140,” he said.

Abbas added that bowling partnerships were equally important and said Pakistan’s attack had performed better at Lord’s than it did in Leeds.

Conditions testing Pakistan

The fast bowler also cited changing weather and playing conditions as factors affecting Pakistan’s performances.

He said the team had travelled from the West Indies and faced different conditions in the lead-up to the Lord’s Test, including during the tour match and the previous Test at Leeds.

“The weather affected us a little bit,” Abbas said, adding that players were gradually becoming more accustomed to the English conditions.

He also noted that Pakistan had used different bowling combinations during the series against Bangladesh and on the current England tour.

According to Abbas, adapting to those changes was part of the learning process for the younger players.

PCB contract could boost red-ball cricket

Abbas also welcomed the expected introduction of a new Pakistan Cricket Board contract structure for red-ball players.

He said improved financial incentives for players who commit to domestic and Test cricket could help strengthen Pakistan’s longer-format programme.

“The red-ball players will get more money and when they play domestic cricket, and when they come to Test cricket, I think it will help our cricket more,” he said.

Pakistan now face a crucial final opportunity to respond to their Lord’s defeat.

The third and final Test between Pakistan and England will be played in Birmingham from September 9, with Pakistan looking to end the series on a winning note.