LONDON: Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmad has admitted that his team’s batting remains a major concern after another collapse against England.

Pakistan have struggled to build partnerships during the series. Their batsmen have repeatedly lost wickets early and failed to handle pressure from England’s bowling attack.

“Batting is a concern,” Sarfaraz told reporters after Pakistan’s latest innings.

He said Pakistan’s bowling had improved but admitted that the team’s batting had again failed when it mattered.

Pakistan must survive the opening spell

Sarfaraz said Pakistan’s batsmen need to spend more time at the crease.

He noted that the team has often been bowled out within 30 or 35 overs. According to the coach, surviving the first 40 to 50 balls could make a major difference.

“Although conditions are challenging, if batsmen negotiate the first 40 to 50 balls which are difficult, then we can succeed,” he said.

Sarfaraz pointed to young batsman Azan Awais as an example.

England fast bowler Jofra Archer produced a strong opening spell, but Azan handled the pressure and later played several impressive shots.

Sarfaraz praised the youngster for showing patience against the new ball.

England make Pakistan pay for mistakes

Sarfaraz also praised England’s bowlers and fielders.

He said England’s bowlers consistently attacked the right areas and their fielders supported them by taking important catches.

Pakistan, however, missed several chances of their own.

Sarfaraz said those dropped catches allowed England to build a bigger first-innings total.

“At crucial times we dropped catches. Had we taken catches in the first innings, we could have restricted England to 200,” he said.

England eventually scored 290 in their first innings, before dismissing Pakistan for just 110.

That gave England a first-innings lead of 180 runs.

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Sarfaraz stands by his players

The coach rejected the idea of blaming individual players for Pakistan’s poor results.

He defended experienced batsmen including Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel.

“All players are the best,” Sarfaraz said. “They are trying their best, but unfortunately results don’t come in our favour.”

He said the team would review its selection decisions after the series.

Sarfaraz also accepted responsibility for the team’s results.

“If there are no results then management will definitely be responsible,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, he remained confident that Pakistan could still produce a turnaround.

Coach hopes for a late revival

Sarfaraz said Pakistan could still change the course of the match if the bowlers make early breakthroughs.

He suggested that dismissing England cheaply could give Pakistan a chance to chase a difficult target.

“Cricket is unpredictable,” he said, adding that anything could happen in the final innings.

England were 81 for three at stumps on the second day at Lord’s, giving them an overall lead of 261 runs.

Pakistan pace attack faces questions

Sarfaraz also raised concerns about Pakistan’s fast-bowling resources.

He praised Mohammad Ali for his progress and said Khurram Shahzad improved during England’s second innings.

However, he said Pakistan needs to find more genuinely quick bowlers.

“In Pakistan cricket, 140-plus bowlers used to come, but now fast bowlers are not coming,” he said.

Sarfaraz expressed hope that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) could help identify and develop new pace options.

Batting remains Pakistan’s priority

Sarfaraz said the team must address its batting problems before the remaining matches.

He stressed that the players were working hard but had failed to perform during key moments.

Pakistan now face a difficult situation against England. With their batting struggling and England holding a strong lead, the visitors need a major improvement to keep their hopes alive.

The coach, however, believes the final innings can still produce a surprise.

“Remember, in the last innings anything can happen,” Sarfaraz said.