CAPE TOWN: Pakistan's Test captain Shan Masood reflected on the team's shortcomings and praised their resilience despite a 2-0 series whitewash at the hands of South Africa.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Masood emphasised the team's fightback and lessons learned, even as crucial moments slipped away.
"Positives from this series... a lot of good things. We did very well in Centurion but didn't close out in crunch situations," said Masood.
"We didn't start well with both bat and ball. We folded early on a really nice surface. The fightback, those are the responses you look for. We need to learn how to win crucial moments. We've been good with the adversity," he added.
The skipper, who played a gritty knock of 145 in the second innings, also stressed the importance of team contributions over personal milestones.
"You trust your players to learn the hard way. (On his knock) I never look at personal achievements. You want your contribution to end up at the right side. Babar stepped up when we lost Saim. There have been some characteristics in this team that have stood up," he said.
The Proteas clinched the second and final Test on Monday with a dominant 10-wicket victory in Newlands.
Chasing a modest target of 58, the Proteas openers easily surpassed the target in 7.1 overs.
David Bedingham played a brilliant knock, scoring 44 from 30 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, while Aiden Markram contributed 14 from 13 deliveries.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 478 in their second innings, following on after being dismissed for 194 in reply to South Africa's massive 615.
Skipper Shan Masood tops the score board with a brilliant 145-run knock followed by Babar Azam's brilliant 81.
Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan also notched up brilliant 48 and 41 runs with the bat followed by Aamer Jamal's 34 runs as well.
Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack with three wickets each, while Marco Jansen and Kwena Maphaka picked up two and one respectively.
After completing the South Africa tour, the team will return to Pakistan, where they will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home from January 16 to 28 in Multan.
