Sarfaraz admits batting crisis as England series slips away

But batting is a concern and this is why we try to make such a combination in which our batting remains strong. Unfortunately, in this innings too our batting flopped. "Despite the poor results, Sarfaraz said he remained hopeful and defended his players, stressing that the team had worked hard but had failed to produce when it mattered most.

"It is not the case that boys are not working hard. They are doing hard work. But sometimes things don't go in your favour," he said.

Pakistan's problems have been particularly pronounced at the start of their innings for every batsman, with Sarfaraz highlighting the importance of surviving the early period against England's attack. "You cannot conceal this thing that our team gets out in 30 or 35 overs," he said.

"We have discussed it and batsmen know this thing. Actually, we don't spend time on the crease. If we spend time, although conditions are challenging, if batsmen negotiate the first 40 to 50 balls which are difficult, then we can succeed.

"Sarfaraz pointed to young batsman Azan Awais as an example of how Pakistan's batters can prosper by absorbing the initial pressure. England fast bowler Jofra Archer produced an impressive opening spell, but Azan negotiated it successfully before going on to play fine strokes.

"The morning spell from Jofra Archer was extraordinary, but the way Azan Awais handled that spell will leave a good impact on his career," Sarfaraz said. "Look at Azan. He handled pressure in the start and then managed superb shots.

I think you have to play the first 40 to 50 balls quite well. "Sarfaraz also credited England's bowlers for maintaining discipline and praised their fielding, saying Pakistan had been punished by missed opportunities of their own.

"England have a strong batting attack. Their bowlers bowled at the right areas and fielders backed them well as they availed catches," he said. Pakistan's inability to hold catches has also contributed to their difficulties,, who said missed chances at critical stages had 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. The coach acknowledged that criticism was inevitable when results went against Pakistan, but said responsibility ultimately rested with the management.

"If there are no results then management will definitely be responsible. I am sitting here and all the mistake is mine," Sarfaraz said. "I stand by my team.

I am still hopeful as cricket is unpredictable. "He said Pakistan could yet produce an unexpected turnaround if their bowlers strike early enough. "If we bowl them out inside 80 runs and then go for chasing a 300 to 350 runs target, you never know about the result," he said.

He acknowledged that Pakistan's batting problems needed urgent attention. "It is a major concern that our batting is not going well and we will have to improve it onwards," he said. Sarfaraz also resisted singling out individual players for blame and said selection decisions would be assessed after the series.

"What we see better here, we are trying to play that combination. All players are good," he said. "Whatever decision we have to take, we will do it after the series.

"He specifically defended experienced players including Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. "All players are the best, whether it is Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan or Saud Shakeel. I will not down my players," Sarfaraz said.

"All are best players and they are trying their best, but unfortunately results don't come in our favour and we will definitely think about it. "The coach also expressed concern over Pakistan's pace-bowling stocks, while praising the improvement of Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad.

Sarfaraz said Mohammad Ali was continuing to develop and noted that Shahzad had bowled much better in the second innings after struggling earlier in the match. "In Pakistan cricket, 140 plus bowlers used to come, but now fast bowlers are not coming," he said.

"Hopefully we find a few quicks in the NCA camp. "He maintained that cricket remained unpredictable and that the final innings could still change the outcome. "Remember, in the last innings anything can happen," he said.

England scored 290 in their first innings and they folded Pakistan for 110 to secure 180 runs. England were 81-3 at stumps on the second day at Lord’s and lead by 261.