Pakistan’s interim head coach, Mohammad Hafeez, didn’t hide his frustration with the nature of the pitch in Canberra during the practice game against Australia ahead of the Test series. While there were many positive aspects to learn from the practice match for the spectators, Hafeez is well aware that the conditions in the Tests will be entirely different.
Mohammad Hafeez remarked, “It was the slowest pitch for any visiting team in Australia. As a team, we are genuinely satisfied with our preparations as we have covered most aspects.” He acknowledged that everyone was aware of the nature of the Canberra pitch, and repeatedly mentioning it and raising the issue with Cricket Australia had no significance. Despite disappointment, Hafeez expressed readiness for the upcoming challenges and emphasized that they are not using it as an excuse but are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood has eased into the leadership role by scoring a century in the practice match, presenting himself as a formidable contender for the tough series. As a senior campaigner in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, Masood has captained teams in various formats during stints with Derbyshire and Yorkshire in county cricket. While Mohammad Hafeez recognizes the challenges that lie ahead, he has voiced his support for Masood’s excellent performance.
“For me, seeing Shaheen as captain is not surprising. He was always prepared for this role, and when you get such an opportunity, it shines. He is a fantastic player, and as a leader, he has a great rapport with his players. His experience as a captain, especially in county cricket over the past few years, has polished his management skills even more. What is crucial is that there is a unit here filled with confidence, and Shaheen is handling his role exceptionally well.”
The Pakistani team has faced scrutiny, especially in the bowling department, due to the clear lack of experience in the absence of Haris Rauf and the injury to Naseem Shah. Shaheen Afridi will carry a significant burden of the attack, with new faces like Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad, alongside the relatively inexperienced Muhammad Waseem Junior in red-ball cricket. Hassan Ali has struggled in the longer format, making Masood’s captaincy pivotal in managing the bowling resources effectively.
Despite these challenges, Hafeez expressed confidence in the team’s cohesion and hopes for a strong performance throughout the series. “This test team is well-balanced. Everyone has contributed significantly to Pakistan cricket. Everyone is enthusiastic about taking on challenges. Performing in Australia will be great for them. We are here not just to compete but to win against Australia. We believe our team possesses the talent to defeat Australia in their own backyard. People are genuinely hungry to perform in Australia. They wanted to approach this enthusiasm and challenge with the right mindset. The message the team has sent is that they want to beat Australia this time.”
The first game of the three-match series will commence in Perth on December 14, followed by Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
Pakistan Squad:- Shan Masood (Captain), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Amir Jamal, Saim Ayub, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Noman Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr.