In a surprising turn of events during Pakistan’s practice matches in Canberra, Mohammad Hafeez, the team director, expressed disappointment at the slow pitch that greeted the Green Shirts. Despite this setback, Hafeez remains confident in the team’s readiness for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
Canberra Practice Matches and Pitch Discontent
Pakistan engaged in a four-day match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, a game that concluded in a draw due to adverse weather conditions on the final day. Hafeez, addressing reporters after the practice session in Perth, voiced his concerns about the sluggish nature of the Canberra pitch. He acknowledged that the slow wicket might be a strategic move by Australia but emphasized Pakistan’s full readiness for the upcoming series.
Team Director’s Confidence in the Squad
Despite the pitch-related challenges, Hafeez expressed confidence in the well-settled Pakistan Test team, highlighting their past achievements. He stated, “This Pakistan Test team is well settled and they have done well for the country in the past. It is heartening to see that these guys are excited to take on challenges, and doing well in Australia will be a top priority.”
Excitement to Face Australia
Hafeez underlined the team’s eagerness to face Australia, stating that Pakistan possesses enough talent to secure victory. He remarked, “We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone on the team is excited to showcase their ability and eager to win.” However, he mentioned the unfortunate unavailability of Abrar Ahmed due to fitness issues for the Perth Test.
Hopeful Outlook for Lyon Challenge
Commenting on Nathan Lyon’s return to the Australian Test team, Hafeez acknowledged Lyon’s prowess but expressed optimism about Pakistan’s ability to handle off-spin. He noted, “Lyon is a great bowler. He has won Test matches for his team, but we generally play off-spin well and have scored a lot of runs against him in the last few series. I hope our batters will do well against him in this series as well.”
Series Schedule
The first Test of the series is scheduled for December 14-18 in Perth, followed by the second Test in Melbourne from December 26-30 and the third Test in Sydney from January 3-7.
In summary, while the slow pitch in Canberra may have surprised and disappointed Mohammad Hafeez, the team director, his unwavering confidence in Pakistan’s preparedness signals a determined and focused approach as they gear up to face Australia in the upcoming Test series.
