Despite Mohammad Abbas’ five-wicket haul at Lord’s, Pakistan suffered another defeat against England, extending a worrying run of results in Test cricket. Pakistan may have found a reliable leader for their pace attack in Mohammad Abbas, but his individual brilliance has once again failed to translate into a team victory.
Mohammad Abbas produced an outstanding performance at Lord’s, claiming a five-wicket haul and adding his name to the famous Lord’s Honours Board. Mohammad Abbas’ record at the venue is exceptional, with 17 wickets in four innings at an average below 12.
Our performance is concern for everyone- Mohammad Abbas
Yet, even after finishing the Test with nine wickets, Abbas was left reflecting on another Pakistan defeat. The result extended Pakistan’s miserable record to 15 defeats in their last 20 Tests, while they have now lost 10 of their last 11 Tests away from home. Abbas did not attempt to hide the seriousness of Pakistan’s situation.
‘Our Performance Is a Concern for Everyone. Our performance is a concern for everyone. Everyone is worried, including selection committee and the NCA.”
The veteran fast bowler admitted that Pakistan have struggled across all three departments, with batting, bowling and fielding all contributing to their recent problems.
“We’re not doing well, we accept that. We’re not batting, bowling or fielding well.”
That admission perhaps sums up Pakistan’s current predicament. Their problems are no longer restricted to one particular department, making a quick turnaround increasingly difficult.
Unable to make most of good position
Pakistan’s bowling was significantly better than it had been during their heavy defeat at Headingley. However, the visitors repeatedly failed to finish England’s innings when they had the opportunity. England were reduced to 222/8, but Pakistan allowed the hosts to add another 68 runs, ultimately creating a first-innings lead of 180 runs.
Fielding was another major issue
Pakistan dropped at least four catches during England’s first innings, and Abbas believes those missed opportunities fundamentally changed the contest.
“We dropped catches and their key players scored 70-odd extra runs. That’s where the match changed because we could have bowled them out for 200,”
Despite a spectacular effort from substitute fielder Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan could not maintain the required standard in the field.
Mohammad Abbas’ Resurgence Comes Without Reward
The irony for Mohammad Abbas is that he is arguably enjoying one of the strongest periods of his Test career. Across his last six Tests, Abbas has taken 28 wickets at under 19, emerging as the senior figure in a relatively inexperienced Pakistan pace attack. With Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah struggling to maintain their previous Test impact, Abbas has increasingly become Pakistan’s most dependable seam bowler.
Yet Abbas insists individual success means little without team results.
“Individual performances are important, but I try to perform to help the team win. It’s been many matches that I’ve been performing but the team hasn’t won.”
Experience and Pace Remain Concerns
Pakistan’s bowling attack also lacks the experience and raw pace traditionally associated with their fast-bowling identity. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad generally operate in the high-70s to low-80s mph range, leaving Abbas as the experienced technician rather than the out-and-out pace option.
But Mohammad Abbas believes bowlers do not necessarily need extreme speed if they understand their strengths.
“I’ve never bowled 140 in my life, so I bowl according to my skill,”
He also stressed the importance of partnerships between bowlers, much like partnerships between batters.
Pakistan’s Bigger Problem
Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s was less emphatic than their Headingley loss, and Abbas believes there were signs of improvement. But improvement without results offers little comfort. Pakistan now sit bottom of the World Test Championship standings, with their away form particularly alarming. The challenge now is turning that effort into performances—and, most importantly, victories.
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