Australia vs Pakistan: In a press conference on Monday, Muhammad Hafeez, the director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, voiced his dissatisfaction with the sluggish wicket in Canberra during the four-day practice match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI. The match, played at Manuka Oval, concluded in a draw due to adverse weather conditions on the final day.
Expressing his surprise and disappointment, Muhammad Hafeez speculated that the slow pitch might be a part of Australia’s strategy. However, he assured the media that the Pakistani team remains fully prepared for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
“We are not here just to compete; we are here to beat Australia,” declared Hafeez, emphasizing the team’s determination. He praised the stability and past performances of the Pakistani Test team, highlighting their eagerness to take on challenges in Australia.
Despite the setback of Abrar Ahmed’s injury, Hafeez conveyed confidence in the team’s readiness for the series. “We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone is excited to showcase their abilities and eager to win,” he added.
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Hafeez acknowledged the return of Nathan Lyon to Australia’s Test team, recognizing him as a formidable bowler. However, he expressed optimism about the Pakistani batsmen’s ability to perform well against Lyon, citing previous successes against off-spinners in recent Australia vs Pakistan series.
Shifting focus to leadership, Hafeez endorsed Shan Masood, who is set to captain Pakistan for the first time in the upcoming series. “Shan Masood is a good cricketer and a leader. We are not concerned about heading into the series with a new captain and management,” he assured.
Addressing team selection, Hafeez hinted at the possibility of including both Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan in the playing XI but emphasized that nothing has been finalized yet.
The first Australia vs Pakistan Test match is scheduled to commence at Perth Stadium on December 14. Despite the challenges posed by the Canberra pitch, Pakistan remains optimistic and determined to make a strong statement in the series Down Under.
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