The first Test match between the Pakistani cricket team and Australia will take place in Perth from December 14 to 18, and then there will be a second Test match in Melbourne on December 26. The last match of the tour will take place in Sydney on January 3, 2024. A day prior, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood gave assurances to the media that batsman Babar Azam’s status in the starting XI would not be altered and that the team will develop around him. Masood claimed that a “due process” was followed in selecting the team for the Australia Test tour, and that having everyone in agreement made his work easier. Read out about Pakistan’s Strategy for Australia Test Tour down below.
Pakistan’s Strategy for Australia Test Tour
“The last series between Australia and Pakistan was an excellent series. It went very well on and off the field. Shaheen was bowling excellent in the Lahore Test, and Warner was playing really well,” the Aussie opener said.
Australia is known for favouring fast bowlers and Khawaja is aware of the threat Pakistani fast bowlers, Shaheen Afridi to be specifically mentioned, hold. He also drew a brief comparison between Afridi and Australia’s Mitchell Starc.
“Even when Warner got out, he got pat on the shoulders with a smile on Shaheen’s face. It was the epitome of the spirit of cricket. That’s what Australians want; you play hard, and when the game is over, you are all good and mates off the field.”
“Pakistan is one of the better teams in the world. They have good batting and always have great fast bowlers. Looking at the past teams, I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over. Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique has scored a lot of runs. I am very excited about this challenge,” the 36-year-old said.
“Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era. It would be exciting When they both play here in the Benaud-Qadir series. Matwill Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli.
“One of the great things about Babar is he does not score only in Pakistan; he also scores runs overseas. He has scored a hundred here in the past,” he added.
“I think Shaheen Shah and Mitchell Starc, both are very fast bowlers, and both can bowl up to 145. We know Starc can swing the new ball. Shaheen has a very good wrist. He definitely swings the ball. When it’s overcast in Australian conditions, if a fast bowler is swinging the ball, it makes our job as an opener a bit tough. This is what you rebel for, this is what you play for,” Khawaja concluded.
