Our worst performance in six years: Misbah

The outcome of our recent Test series in Australia has been very disappointing. I find it very hard to put it into words. I feel it is our worst performance in the six years since I took over the Test captaincy. This was not a team that should lose six Tests on the trot - we never thought that could happen. It was the worst possible scenario.

Ever since we lost to West Indies in the third Test in Sharjah in October, we have not been able to regain our winning momentum that saw us briefly rise to number one in the world earlier this year. It all started with the batting collapse there and then a substandard performance in New Zealand. We reached Australia on the back of three defeats and the team was low on confidence. 

The 3-0 series defeat to Australia has been a huge setback for us. It is always huge when you lose amidst high expectations. 

I feel what happened in Melbourne in particular was a massive blow. The batsmen, especially Azhar Ali with his superb double-hundred, had worked hard and helped us post 443 in our first-innings. When you have scored nearly 450 and dominated the match for two days you need your bowlers to back up the batsmen’s hard work. But the two sessions and 58 overs in which Australia scored 278 tilted the momentum that we had gained in the second innings in Brisbane back towards Australia. When you score 450 and the other team still goes ahead of you, that is simply demoralising. 

We always talk about batting in overseas conditions but it is actually bowling that wins you matches. When Asian teams tour Australia the bowlers have a bigger role to play than the batsmen. You need to have bowlers who can get you 20 wickets. 

When India visited Australia two years ago, Virat Kohli alone scored four hundreds yet still they were on the losing side.