Panesar still hurting from England`s series defeat

Abu Dhabi: Despite starring in his comeback match after more than two years out, England spinner Monty Panesar is still hurting from the 72-run loss that sealed a Test series victory for Pakistan.

Panesar took 6-62 for England to be set 145 to win the second Test on Saturday and level the three-match series, but Pakistan dismissed the visitors for 72 in 36.1 overs on the fourth day. England lost the first Test inside three days by 10 wickets at Dubai, the venue of the last test starting Friday. "I`m still hurting from the loss," Panesar said. "It would be nice to get some wickets but I would rather have a none-for and see England win. I want my performances to contribute to England winning and be part of a successful England team." England needs to win the third match to ensure it takes the USD 175,000 jackpot awarded to the team finishing on top of the ICC rankings on April 1 each year. Panesar`s previous test was against Australia at Cardiff, Wales, during the 2009 Ashes series. England surprisingly didn`t include Panesar in the first Test despite the left-armer doing well in a warm-up match. Captain Andrew Strauss included him in the second Test after seeing Pakistan left-armer Abdur Rehman troubling batsmen on the slow pitch of Dubai. Panesar finished the first innings with 1-91, but was unlucky when James Anderson dropped Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq early in the first innings. But surprisingly, Panesar took the blame for allowing Pakistan to score 257. "Maybe I let the team down in the first innings, where I didn`t take wickets at a quick enough rate," he said. "Swanny (Graeme Swann) kind of carried me, helping me out and made me feel part of the team, and it`s nice to bowl with him and bowl in tandem." PTI