Ben Stokes has revealed he has apologized to his team for behaving like “grumpy old men” as Pakistan’s second Test in Multan fell to England’s hands.
The tourists slumped to a 152-run defeat as Pakistan won the series 1-1 on the morning of the fourth day, with 38-year-old spinner Noman Ali taking 8 for 46.
On a pitch that offers extreme turns, England were tasked with chasing an almost impossible 297, but they kicked themselves in the third of the afternoon when they took two catches in the space of a Brydon Carse delivery.
Lucky batsman Salman Agha was spared a four by wicket-keeper Jamie Smith and a six by Joe Root’s slips and went on to make them pay for a crucial 63 runs.
Skipper Stokes uncharacteristically vented his anger during a difficult session, glaring at drops and screaming in frustration at England’s tiring defence.
After the game he admitted that he regretted his reaction.
body language
“As a captain, this is the first time I have expressed my emotions through body language and how I feel during a match,” he said.
“I apologized to the group and told them I felt bad about it. I was a tired, grumpy old man last night. That will never happen again.
“I owned it and I’m very annoyed with myself for putting it out. It’s something I don’t want to do, or appear to be doing.
“No one is trying to degrade the catch, but it just proves how important the catch is in these subcontinent conditions because they don’t come out very often.”
slapstick turnstile
Stokes had reason to regret his handling error as he charged Noman as England slipped to 144 all out, but swung too hard, lost control and launched his bat 20 yards into the air towards square leg when Mohammed Rizwan stepped on him.
It was a neat visual metaphor for his team’s joint effort to chase down 297. It was a big swing with nothing to show for it.
“That’s right. Next time I will try to keep the bat in my hands,” Stokes said with a half-smile.
“Look, it was always going to be very, very tough but we backed ourselves to get after it and I think that was pretty evident in the way we had to go and play.
“With so much going on (on the pitch), it was always going to be in the bowlers’ favor. In those days, you couldn’t just sit there because there was always someone with your name on it.”
England left Multan with the scores level after playing back-to-back matches at the same stadium. England secured their first win after making the most of a run-fest on a flat deck but became sitting ducks after Pakistan won the toss on a collapsing surface.
third test decider
No one knows yet what awaits in Rawalpindi, which is not known for offering bold spin, but Stokes is ready for a penalty shootout.
“I think it’s a great set up of the series. That’s why I think the number of games in a series should always be odd because you want to come out with a winner,” he said.
“You never know what you’re going to face in the last Test match and we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Opposite number Shan Masood, who tasted victory for the first time in seven attempts as captain and recorded Pakistan’s first win at home since February 2021, wants another Dusty Turner but knows that might not be possible.
“I like it, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it change in Rawalpindi. That’s another matter,” he said.
“Three and a half years (without a win at home) is unacceptable for Pakistan cricket. You want a team that can win anywhere. I hope we can start something in our home environment.”
Read more: England were sent for a spin as Pakistan won by 152 runs to level the series in Multan.
