Mohsin tells Shafiq off 'in a loving way'
Pakistan's interim coach, Mohsin Khan, has admitted that he ticked off Asad Shafiq for an irresponsible dismissal just before the second new ball was available to England in Abu Dhabi
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Jan-2012
Asad Shafiq struck a half-century to aid Pakistan's revival but then threw his wicket away • Getty Images
Mohsin Khan, Pakistan's interim coach, said he criticised Asad Shafiq "in a loving way" for an irresponsible dismissal just before the second new ball that enabled England to take control of the second Test in Abu Dhabi.
Shafiq fell to an ambitious slog-sweep at Graeme Swann with the new ball only one over away; the first of three late wickets for England that allowed them to repair the damage caused by a century stand between Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq for the fifth wicket and leave Pakistan 256 for 7 at the close.
"I had a go at him - but in a loving way," Mohsin said. "We were hoping for 300 for three or four by the close. Shafiq was playing wonderfully well and after he got out the pressure came back on us and the team suffered. If someone is playing for their country they must understand their responsibilities."
Pakistan failed to make good use of winning the toss, losing four wickets for 103. "We knew that the pitch would play a few tricks in the first session but we wanted to capitalise on it later," Mohsin said. "Misbah has played a tremendous innings for us so far."