'When you don't have the backbone of your bowling...': Babar Azam explains why Pakistan suffered historic whitewash at home

Under-fire Pakistan skipper Babar Azam blamed injuries to his frontline fast bowlers for a clean sweep in the Test series at the hands of Ben Stokes-led England on December 20. 
 

“We were unfortunate that our main fast bowlers were not fit,” Babar said in the post-match presentation after eight-wicket loss at National Stadium, Karachi. 
 

“The new players did perform but couldn't execute the way we wanted. When things were in our hands we had soft dismissals in those times and due to that we couldn't win matches which we should have won.”
 

Before the Test series, Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi got ruled out due to knee injury that resurfaced during T20 World Cup 2022 final. After first Test at Rawalpindi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah got ruled out of the remaining two Tests. 
 

“Fitness has the main role because if you are not extra fit you cannot compete in all the three formats,” Babar said.
 

“You get two to three days to switch from one format to the other and you have to be mentally ready as well."
 

Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. were not able to put pressure on England as they executed their 'Bazball' approach with perfection. Making his debut for England in Tests, Harry Brook scored century in each Test and tormented Pakistan bowlers with his attacking display. 
 

“When you don't have the backbone of your bowling, then new bowlers found it difficult to adjust quickly,” the 28-year-old said.
 

“The way England played, they did not let us settle down.”
 

The inexperienced Pakistan side was unable to close the game even when the win was in touching distance. Saud Shakeel impressed with four half-centuries but could not convert them into big scores. Babar was inconsistent whereas Mohammad Rizwan looked a pale shadow of himself. 
 

“Our strength was our batting, but we played well in patches and couldn't finish the games,” Babar said.
 

“It's a big disappointment that we couldn't apply ourselves in the series, but we must praise England for the way they played their cricket, we must appreciate that.”
 

After two Tests, Pakistan were out of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final race. They will now face New Zealand at home in a two-Test series later this month.