As Pakistan gear up for a challenging tour against Australia starting on December 14, experienced Pakistani fast bowler Hasan Ali discussed about the upcoming challenges and shared a new tactical approach to handle the Usman Khawaja threat. The left-handed batter has been one of the most in-form batters for the Aussies in red-ball cricket in recent times.
Under the leadership of the newly appointed captain, Shan Masood, the Pakistani team are aiming to make history by becoming the first from the country to win a Test series in Australia. Despite the historic opportunity, the team recognise the tough task of facing the strong Australian batting lineup, especially Khawaja, who showed excellent form throughout the year, notably in the recently concluded Ashes series against England.
Hasan shared insights into a strategic shift for the team, stressing caution because Khawaja understands Urdu. In a recent interview, Hasan expressed concerns about Khawaja possibly sharing game strategies with the Australian team during a match in Karachi.
“Usman bhai is familiar with Urdu, but after he leaked our strategies to the Australia cricket team in Karachi, we’ve become more cautious. We’ll ensure not to discuss plans in Urdu in front of him to keep our strategies confidential. We’ll move a bit farther away from him to strategise for the game,” Hasan was quoted as saying by The Nation.
Adjusting to Australian conditions is a primary focus for the team: Hasan Ali
According to Hasan, adjusting to Australian conditions is a primary focus for the team. He pointed out the toughness of Australian conditions, specifically the pitches that favour fast bowlers by offering extra bounce and carry.
“It’s not just Pakistan; all South Asian teams find it challenging to take 20 wickets on Australian tours. The pitches in Australia differ from those in other cricketing nations, and the local players’ familiarity with their conditions often poses problems for visiting squads,” the 29-year-old concluded.
The Pakistani team are set to play a four-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI, starting from December 6. Following that, they will face the Aussies in the first Test at the Perth Stadium in Perth, commencing on December 14.
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