Saud Shakeel says 'difficult conditions' contributing to Pakistan’s batting woes

Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel believes the “difficult conditions” encountered by his side in England have contributed to their repeated batting collapses, saying the amount of lateral movement on offer has made batting considerably harder than it appeared from the outside. Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in just 33. 5 overs on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday, their fifth consecutive innings in the series in which they failed to reach 200. England finished the day on 156-4, taking a 23-run lead after Pakistan had briefly threatened a fightback with the ball. Saud, who top-scored with 43, acknowledged that Pakistan’s batsmen had to accept responsibility for their repeated failures but said the conditions in the first two Tests and at Edgbaston had been more challenging than those encountered by New Zealand during their tour of England earlier this year.

“I was myself a little surprised by the conditions when I saw the first two Tests,” Saud said after play. “If you look at the New Zealand series that took place here earlier this year and the pitches they played on, and then compare them with the two pitches we have played on, there has been a lot more lateral movement here. “Perhaps we are not as accustomed to playing in these conditions. ” Pakistan were reduced to 26-4 inside the opening 10 overs after England opted to bowl in overcast conditions, with Saim Ayub, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood all dismissed cheaply. Captain Babar Azam followed for seven to leave Pakistan 48-5 before Saud and the lower order could offer any resistance. Saud said the early period of the innings had been particularly important because the surface was expected to become easier for batting as the day progressed. “There was a little moisture in the…