Arthur slams batsmen for failure to adapt

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur says his shell-shocked batsmen abandoned their plans under fire from Australia's quicks during a disastrous collapse at the Gabba.

Arthur said a lack of preparation was not to blame, but rather a failure to adapt in the heat of battle as the tourists lost 7-24, with only an unbeaten 59 from wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed adding respectability to the first innings of 142.

Former Australia opener Chris Rogers highlighted the technical deficiencies of Pakistan's batsmen.

"They obviously don't play in these conditions that often and the way they kept defending almost towards cover, that means the ball only has to move a touch in these conditions and all the edges are going to carry to the slips," Rogers said on Optus Sport's Stumps.

Experienced pair Misbah-ul-Haq (4) and Younis Khan (0) were part of the collapse and Arthur said work on the training ground to counter the pace and bounce of the Gabba did not translate into the Test match.

"That's how they defend in the subcontinent," Arthur said on ABC Grandstand.

"You make the pace in the subcontinent by staying leg-side of the ball and opening your wrists, which clearly doesn't work here against an attack like that.

"As much as we practice it, their first default mechanism is to go to what they know.

"One can only hope we can highlight and give them video footage going into the next Test match and just outline exactly where the angles are and where we want them to hit the ball.

"We've done it in training ad nauseum, but it's a different thing doing it at training and doing it in the middle."

Arthur saved his most stinging remarks for two members of the touring party sitting on the sidelines – Sohail Khan and Imran Khan.

Pakistan's decision to field three left-arm pacemen – Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Rahat Ali – in Brisbane has attracted criticism, but Arthur said their selectors had simply picked the best line-up to play in Australia.

Riaz was the best of Pakistan's bowlers, returning 4-89 as Australia piled on 429 in the first innings.

Amir claimed 4-97 despite appearing to have suffered a serious knee injury while fielding on day one of the pink-ball Test and Ali (0-74) was wicketless after sending down 22 overs.

Overlooked right-armers Sohail Khan (24 wickets from eight Tests) and Imran Khan (26 wickets from eight Tests) have enjoyed flashes of brilliance at Test level, but Arthur said the pair did not warrant selection in Australia.

"We've got an attack that's pretty balanced and guys who are specialists in all areas," Arthur said.

"We've got Imran Khan sitting off who bowls well on wickets with a with a bit of grass.

"I wouldn't be out of line if I said I don't think he's got the pace to bowl on a good wicket here. But when it does a little bit, he's fantastic.

"Sohail Khan runs in, swings it, bowls right arm and I've always got a doubt about his comeback ability.

"His first spell's very good, his second spell is OK, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more. It puts a lot of pressure on other units.

"I think we've picked our three best bowlers. That was our best attack for these conditions."

Arthur said his under siege side would have some "hard chats" before the second Test in Melbourne, starting on December 26.

Pakistan played one tour match against a Cricket Australia XI earlier this month after a 2-0 loss away from home against New Zealand which was also characterised by batting collapses.

"As a coach now, we've just got to make them believe," Arthur said.

"They've got to trust their techniques, they've got to trust what we've done. We've got guys who have nearly 10,000 Test runs in that dressing room.

"If they start second guessing themselves, we're in trouble."

Arthur backed experienced pair Misbah and Younis to rediscover their best form. The pair, aged 42 and 39 respectively, have 43 Test centuries between them.

"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't that little doubt in my mind," Arthur said.

"But I had that in England and saw Younis come out and play exceptionally well, albeit against a different attack.

"I'm backing him in for the time being."

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