Batsmen lost focus on the third morning - Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq has said it was difficult for Pakistan's batsmen to focus on the game after the resumption of the Sharjah Test, a day after the news of Phillip Hughes' death arrived. Pakistan were 283 for 3 on the first day but lost seven wickets for 66 runs on the third morning, after which Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson smashed big centuries to lay the foundation for a New Zealand innings win.

"We started the first day well, but after what happened on the second it was really difficult to concentrate," Misbah said. "It was very difficult for the batsmen to carry on when we came out on the third day. It created difficulties for us.

"The way we played the last few Tests, it was awesome. But in this Test, we had one bad day and we were totally out of it," he said. "Credit to New Zealand on the way they came back after the first Test and outplayed us in this Test. The way they batted in the first innings, they took the game away from us.

"You lose a bit of focus and concentration, and once the momentum goes to the other team, it's difficult to find a way back."

Misbah was the first batsman to be dismissed that morning, edging one to the keeper from Tim Southee. From there on, Mark Craig, the offspinner, ran through the bottom half of Pakistan's batting to register a career-best haul of 7 for 94. He added three more wickets in the second innings to complete a ten-wicket haul. When asked what was different about his approach, Craig said his mind was not on the game.

"Didn't really think, to be honest. It was hard playing and we boys tried to stick together," Craig said. "Just not thinking about bowling and letting the ball go was a big help."

The shadow of Phillip Hughes' death loomed throughout the Test with players from both teams hardly showing emotions on personal achievements. Daniel Vettori summed up the mood: "We felt like he was one of us and we mourned him as a team-mate."