Pak vs Aus: Rawalpindi pitch wasn't prepared in fear of Australia, says Babar Azam

• Babar Azam says players hard work matters more than the pitch.
• ICC had declared Pindi Cricket Stadium pitch "below average".
• Skipper says changes in playing XI will be made for Karachi Test.

KARACHI: Pakistani skipper Babar Azam, has defended the Rawalpindi pitch, saying that the flat track was not prepared in fear of Australia's bowling line up.

Speaking about the latest controversy of the Rawalpindi Stadium pitch in a virtual press conference on the eve of the second Test, Babar said that no matter how a pitch is it is important for players to perform on it.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja had said: "We don't want to play in the lap of Australia by making a fast and bouncy pitch. It is necessary when we play at home we should play according to our strength."

Read more: Ramiz Raja issues statement after backlash over dead Rawalpindi pitch

After the first Test, the International Cricket Council (ICC) declared the Pindi Cricket Stadium "below average" and penalised it with one demerit point.

However, Pakistan's skipper believes that the pitch “doesn’t affect the efficacy of the players it is their hard work that matters.”

“The impression that Pakistani batters played slow was wrong,” he said, adding that it Imam-ul-Haq made his comeback during the first Test while Abdullah Shafique was playing his fourth match.

Shedding light on the second Test beginning from tomorrow he said that there is nothing to worry about, “each venue has a different condition”.

“We win either because of our batting or because of our balling as both are our strengths,” said Babar.

Read more: Mohammad Yousaf endorses Ramiz Raja's statement about home pitches

Regarding the playing XI, the skipper said that changes will be made for Karachi Test. 

“Two players — Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf — will also be available for selection,” said Babar.

The Pakistani skipper, further added that the Pakistani batters haven’t faced Aussie's leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson before; however, they are preparing with the help of his videos.

“The squad performed well during the first Test, both individually and as a team, and we will try to maintain continuity,” he asserted.