Pakistan should play same team in first two matches: Jalal

KARACHI: Former Test fast bowler Jalaluddin has said that Pakistan must forget what happened in Ireland and England because in the USA there is a huge difference as far as the weather and behaviour of pitches are concerned.

While talking to The News from the USA, where he runs a cricket academy in Houston at Musa cricket stadium in Pearland, he said that in Dallas and Florida where Pakistan would play the first two matches the weather and pitch conditions are like the subcontinent.

He said that the Pakistan cricket team did not play well in Ireland and England, but it did mean they could not play well in the USA. He said that the conditions in the USA suit the Pakistan cricket team as the weather is hot these days, the pitches are dry and the ball does not swing much. Wickets are bouncy and helpful for batsmen, he said. Jalaluddin pointed out that one thing Pakistan cricket team management should decide in their strategy is that they would have to play the same team in the first two matches which would be against the USA and India. They have no time to do any experiment against India.

He added that Pakistan have not played any practice match in the USA. The match against the USA on Thursday (today) would be their first one on American soil. “The experience of this match will help in the match against India on June 8,” he said.

Thus, they should be clear in their mind that the same Pakistan cricket team would play its first two matches, he said. He said that the Pakistan cricket team is balanced. He further said that three fast bowlers and one spinner should be in the playing XI. He said that USA wickets are also helpful for the spinners because there is a slow turn present in the wickets.