Lahore, Oct. 15 -- Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood didn't mince his words while upbraiding his batters for their reckless shot selection, which resulted in the hosts throwing away a position of near complete dominance against the World Test Champions South Africa in the first Test at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Leading by 259 runs on a rapidly deteriorating surface with six wickets in hand, Pakistan appeared impregnable. Within the next 45 minutes, Pakistan were bundled out, losing six wickets for a mere 17 runs, setting a 277-run target for the visitors, an unlikely yet achievable total.

"We put ourselves in this situation [where South Africa have a chance in the game]. We were 150 for 4, and then lost 6 for 17. No one is to blame but ...