Watch: Pakistan bowling coach Shaun Tait exchanged tense words with a journalist in a press conference following day four of the second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan, as the bowling performance of the home side was questioned.

Pakistan finished day three on 0-2 after New Zealand declared on 277-5, setting Babar Azam’s side 319 runs to win. Tom Blundell and Michael Bracewell both scored 74 as they looked to set up Tim Southee’s declaration.

Asking Tait about his opinion on his fast bowler’s performance, the journalist, ARY News‘ Shoaib Jatt said: “It’s the opinion of the entire nation of Pakistan, they think Pakistan did not bowl well – I’m talking about the fast bowlers. But I’m asking you, are you satisfied with your performances as Pakistan’s bowling coach?”

Seemingly annoyed by the phrasing of the question, Tait replied abruptly: “You’re not… you’re answering the question before you ask it. You are saying that’s your opinion, so I can’t… You’re saying the performance has been poor. Okay, that’s your opinion; what would you like me to say?”

The journalist was then heard saying something else without the microphone, while Tait looked on into the press pool. He then responded to the journalist’s follow-up with “yes, I am satisfied” before moving on from the topic.

Tait was appointed as Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach for a period of 12 months in February 2022. The former Australia quick has had to contend with injuries to several of his key quicks over the last few months, including Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

The final Test in Karachi is Pakistan’s fifth at home in just under a month, where questions have been raised about the balance of the pitches in favour of the batters. England wracked up the runs in their three-match series against Pakistan in December and New Zealand scored 612-9d in their first innings of the first Test match in Karachi.

Earlier in the current Test match, Naseem Shah bowled a superb spell of reverse swing to return figures of 3-71, with Hasan Ali picking up his first wicket in six months on his return to the Test side. Pakistan have not won a Test match on home soil since 2021, with tomorrow their last opportunity to do so in 2023.

Jatt was involved in another terse press-conference moment in the first Test, complaining after not being given the opportunity to ask a question.

Watch Tait’s tense press conference exchange below:

Related tags:

Pakistan International CricketPakistan v New ZealandSeries EditorialVideos