Australia's slow pitch strategy in Canberra ‘disappoints’ Mohammad Hafeez

PERTH: Pakistan's Team Director Mohammad Hafeez Monday expressed disappointment with the pitch in Canberra ahead of the three-match 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.

“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," said Hafeez while speaking to reporters after Pakistan’s first practice session in Perth. 

“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. However, he 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.”

Series schedule

First Test: December 14-18, Perth

Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne

Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney