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NEW DELHI: Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez has expressed criticism of the practice match conditions in Canberra ahead of the Test series against Australia, stating that he was “really surprised and disappointed by the arrangements.”
Despite finding positives in the warm-up game, Hafeez acknowledged the substantial differences in conditions expected during the Test matches.While appreciating the challenge posed by the conditions, Hafeez voiced his discontent with the arrangements for the game against the PM XI in Canberra, suggesting that there might be a tactical aspect to it.
The first Test between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to be held at Perth Stadium on December 14.
“That was the slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on in Australia. As a team we are really happy with our preparations because we ticked most of the boxes,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“Everyone knew [the pitch wasn’t what we wanted], so there was no point in saying it again and again and raising the issue with Cricket Australia. The disappointment was really high because we weren’t expecting these kinds of arrangements. Maybe it’s tactical but we’re ready for it. We’re not using it as an excuse, we’re absolutely ready for the challenges coming up,” he added.
Expressing confidence and excitement about facing Australia, Hafeez conveyed his belief that Pakistan possess enough talent to secure victory against the home team.
“We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone on the team is excited to showcase their ability and eager to win. Unfortunately, Abrar Ahmed is unfit but everyone else is fit and ready to take on Australia,” Hafeez added.
Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the Perth Test and undergoing rehabilitation. Abrar is expected to be fit and available for the second Test.
Hafeez also talked about Nathan Lyon‘s return to Australia’s Test team.
“Lyon is a great bowler. He has won Test matches for his team but we generally play off-spin well and we 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,” the Pakistan team director said.
(With ANI inputs)
Despite finding positives in the warm-up game, Hafeez acknowledged the substantial differences in conditions expected during the Test matches.While appreciating the challenge posed by the conditions, Hafeez voiced his discontent with the arrangements for the game against the PM XI in Canberra, suggesting that there might be a tactical aspect to it.
The first Test between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to be held at Perth Stadium on December 14.
“That was the slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on in Australia. As a team we are really happy with our preparations because we ticked most of the boxes,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“Everyone knew [the pitch wasn’t what we wanted], so there was no point in saying it again and again and raising the issue with Cricket Australia. The disappointment was really high because we weren’t expecting these kinds of arrangements. Maybe it’s tactical but we’re ready for it. We’re not using it as an excuse, we’re absolutely ready for the challenges coming up,” he added.
Expressing confidence and excitement about facing Australia, Hafeez conveyed his belief that Pakistan possess enough talent to secure victory against the home team.
“We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone on the team is excited to showcase their ability and eager to win. Unfortunately, Abrar Ahmed is unfit but everyone else is fit and ready to take on Australia,” Hafeez added.
Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the Perth Test and undergoing rehabilitation. Abrar is expected to be fit and available for the second Test.
Hafeez also talked about Nathan Lyon‘s return to Australia’s Test team.
“Lyon is a great bowler. He has won Test matches for his team but we generally play off-spin well and we 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,” the Pakistan team director said.
(With ANI inputs)
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