Spinners will be key

Pakistan host Australia in the first one-day international at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

By Liaqat Ali

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Published: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 1:24 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 1:49 PM

Both teams failed to perform well in their latest series — Australia got thrashed 4-0 by England and Pakistan were outplayed 4-1 by Sri Lanka.

It is the chance for the wounded teams to have some victories under their belts which may give them the timely boost ahead of the World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka in September.

There might be a little advantage for Pakistan because they have played a lot matches on these surfaces and they know the conditions well. But the Australians are determined to set things right and their performance against Afghanistan of Saturday was a clear signal to the brittle Pakistani batting. The Pakistani vice-captain for ODIs, Mohammed Hafeez attended the Press briefing because captain Misbahul Haq failed to reach in time due to a flight delay.

Hafeez said: “We are prepared for this tough series and always believe in performing well in every series.

“History is against us because have not beaten Australia for quite some time but it is not a worry. Past is past and we can set new standards by playing well against the tough Aussies.” Umar Gul’s absence from the Pakistan line has surprised everybody. He has been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s fast bowling recently.

“It was a decision by the selectors and they might have wanted to rest him. But he is in the T20 squad and is an important component of the team. We have got top spinners like Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Rehman,” said Hafeez.

Kamran Akmal is back for Pakistan which provides stability at the top of the order. “He is a perfect package for us.

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com


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