Pakistan and Australia are set to face each other in the Adelaide Test.
Pakistan’s tour of Australia hasn’t been going exactly as planned. They have lost the previous three-match T20I series, while under new captain Babar Azam, 0-3. At current, they also lost the first Test match at Brisbane by a huge gap - an innings and five runs. This came in despite excellent performances from Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Asad Shafiq with the bat and Naseem Shah’s exciting Test debut.
One of the cricketing giants in Asia has yet to win a Test match in Australia. Their batting did little to offer a proper fight against the Aussies’ fast bowlers, especially on a bouncy Gabba pitch. They only scored 240 and 335 runs in both innings; Australia scored an astounding 580 runs. Pakistani openers did well in the second innings, with Azam making 104 and Rizwan slamming 95, while Shafiq had saved face for the team with 76 in the first innings.
There is also a slight chance that Iman-Ul-Haq will replace Haris Sohail at the third batting spot, giving them Pakistanis a greater fighting chance. In an interview, the player said that he is excited to face Australia fast-pace bowler Mitchell Starc in their Adelaide Test.
‘I have faced Mitchell in the ODIs and T20s as well. Yeah, I guess it’s gonna be difficult for all the batsmen and the pink ball will challenge you but after 10 to 15 balls it will be okay and easier and you will be comfortable – I really think so’, said the player in an interview.
'The Adelaide wicket is slightly different than Brisbane and its good for batsmen as well and it has a little bit of help for the spinners. Our batsmen are very confident, we did good in the practice matches as well and you always work hard in the nets to prepare for the worst and that’s what our batting unit was doing and InshaAllah it will be a different result’.
Pakistan will first face Australia in their second of two-Test series. They will then face Sri Lanka in two Tests as well. To find out more about Pakistan’s upcoming matches, visit Betwala’s page.
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