Pakistan team director Hafeez 'surprised, disappointed' at slow Canberra pitch

"It was a slow wicket that might be part of Australia’s strategy, but we are still fully ready for the series," says Hafeez

Sports Desk

December 11, 2023

Pakistans team director Mohammad Hafeez. — PCB — Pakistan's team director Mohammad Hafeez. — PCB

Slow pitch might be part of Australia’s strategy: Hafeez.
Hafeez expresses confidence in beating home team.
"Everyone on team is excited to showcase their ability".

PERTH: Pakistan's team director Mohammad Hafeez said that he was disappointed and surprised by the pitch in Canberra where the Green Shirts played practice matches ahead of the Test series against Australia.

Pakistan played a four-day match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra which ended in a draw after the last day was called off due to bad weather.

Speaking to reporters after Pakistan’s first practice session in Perth, Hafeez said: “I was surprised and disappointed at the four-day match surface offered at Canberra. It was a slow wicket that might be part of Australia’s strategy, but we are still fully ready for the series.”

“This Pakistan Test team is well settled and they have done well for the country in the past. It is heartening to see that these guys are excited to take on challenges and doing well in Australia will be a top priority," said the team director.

On the excitement to face Australia, Hafeez expressed confidence in beating the home team and said that Pakistan have enough talent to do that.

“We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone on the team is excited to showcase their ability and eager to win. Unfortunately, Abrar Ahmed is unfit but everyone else is fit and ready to take on Australia.”

Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the Perth Test and undergoing rehabilitation. Abrar is expected to be fit and available for the second Test.

Hafeez also talked about Nathan Lyon’s return to Australia’s Test team.

“Lyon is a great bowler. He has won Test matches for his team but we generally play off-spin well and we have scored a lot of runs against him in the last few series. I hope our batters will do well against him in this series as well.”