Despite 354-run loss to England, Pakistan skipper Salman says his team can bounce back and beat the poms in the next test at Edgbaston
Pakistan captain Salman Butt has urged his players not to be too downhearted following their 354-run defeat to England on the fourth day of the opening Test here yesterday.
Pakistan folded up for 80 all out on the fourth day, needing an improbable 435 to win. They were 15 for three overnight.
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The 25-year-old skipper believes his team will react as they did after losing the opening Test against Australia, when they responded by recording their first Test win over their opponents in 15 years.
"So that will make us stronger in the next game. All players know every day is a different day. They are a young side with limited experience but they have the talent and have shown they can do it.
We have ammo
"We have everything to work on but I truly believe in my team. These things happen. I think we definitely have to regroup, come up with a new strategy and make us stronger."
Meanwhile, England skipper Andrew Strauss has warned against over-confidence after his team's victory.
James Anderson's first 10-wicket match haul carried England to victory by 354 runs as Pakistan folded to 80 all out on the fourth day.
"I'm very satisfied with what we've done," the England captain told Sky Sports 1. "It was not all our way, we had some tough times but we reacted well. Our bowling was first-class but I'm very conscious it's only the first game. We're looking for consistency and one game doesn't make you consistent.
"It was a good team performance and we need to build on it in the next game."
Strauss reserved special praise for Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior who made 102 not out yesterday to put England firmly in control.
He added: "Prior's 100 was an outstanding innings and any chance of a Pakistan victory was taken away. There's a lot to be happy with."
Strauss also backed Eoin Morgan to prove his worth even more in the longer game after his first Test century on the opening day. "His greatest strengths are his temperament and the way he can read the game," said Strauss. "The key is always to get over the first hurdle. I'm really excited about what he can bring." Anderson, man of the match after finishing with 11 for 71, hailed the superb display of the slip cordon in wrapping up the match so efficiently. Paul Collingwood took two superb catches to dismiss Umar Gul and Shoaib Malik as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 65 runs.
No slips here
"I think that's probably the best performance from our slips - ever, really ufffd that I've seen this morning. It was fantastic.u00a0 "All the work they've been doing has paid off," Anderson told Sky Sports 1.
He added: "It generally swings here, which helps my game, and it certainly helped this week. We weren't really sure whether it would swing this week because it's been a lot cooler this summer. You do want to make the most of it because it doesn't always go your way."
Paceman Stuart Broad accepted that the match could have been a lot tighter had Pakistan performed as well as England in the field. "Their bowlers, with a bit more luck, could have got through us a bit quicker," he said. "Our catching behind the wicket was fantastic. The way they caught was fantastic. If we can continue that we'll be in a really good place this winter."