BBC SPORT | ENGLAND ON TOUR | Preparation the key to success

Former Pakistan all-rounder Asif Iqbal tells BBC Sport Online England's preparation behind the scenes helped them to a deserved series win over Pakistan.

It was a dramatic finish to the match but I think the better team won, without any doubt.

Playing Pakistan at home is one thing and playing at a ground where Pakistan has never lost a Test made it extra hard.

But a side should never lose a Test match after scoring 400 runs in the first innings.

It was a combination of factors that led to Pakistan losing the match from that position.

Nasser Hussain
Hussain: Focused in his approach
They lacked concentration in the second innings, thinking that they had done enough to ensure they did not lose the match.

They took it for granted that after scoring 400 they would at least get a draw but England kept on playing and got into a position where they could not lose the Test and had a chance of winning it.

England wanted to win the match a little bit more and were better on the whole through out the series.

By winning they showed that it does not matter where you play, at home or away, but enhthusiasm and discipline can make you win matches.

Vital analysis

Nasser Hussain performed brilliantly as captain even though he struggled with the bat.

He made the right changes to the field at the right time and used his bowlers well.

It was clear that Hussain and Duncan Fletcher had studied their opposition and worked out their weaknesses ahead of the Test series.

A side should never lose a Test match after scoring 400 runs in the first innings

Asif Iqbal

That helped them, whereas Pakistan looked as though they had not done the same amount of preparation work.

The hype that the wickets would take lots of turn and England would not be able to compete proved wrong.

The wickets produced were not result wickets and it only took a lack of application in the Pakistan second innings to produce a result in the third Test.

Lessons to be learned

Pakistan made selection mistakes by picking four spinners to play when the wickets were not taking as much turn as had been expected when two would have been enough.

It was clear that Hussain and Duncan Fletcher had studied their opposition and worked out their weaknesses ahead of the Test series

Asif Iqbal

They let themselves short on batting depth and that proved crucial as did the lack number of extras they conceded by bowling no-balls.

Moin Khan has been re-appointed Pakistan skipper and I think this is a good move by the Pakistan board.

I don't think a change in captain or wholesale changes would make the side any better.

Moin will hopefully learn something from the series that will make him a better captain.


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