Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 28, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said that Pakistan have the best chance to record a historic series victory in Australia in upcoming three-match Test series.
Talking to Channel Nine, the 45-year-old said, “It’s never easy in Australia on these bouncy pitches, but I feel this is their [Pakistan’s] best chance to beat Australia.”
Traditionally, Pakistan have struggled Down Under with just four wins from 32 Tests. However, this time they will meet an Australian side that has undergone massive changes.
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Australia were recently defeated 2-1 by South Africa in Test series and even though they managed a face-saving victory in the third Test, it is still arguably the weakest side to have faced Pakistan on home soil.
Waqar believes that Australia still have some ‘loopholes’ which can be exploited despite their win in Adelaide. “Fair enough they [Australia] won against South Africa, but there are definitely loopholes they can look into,” he said.
He added that in comparison the Pakistani side are well settled even after losing a Test series 2-0 against New Zealand last month. “Pakistan have been a very settled side the last couple of years, they’ve been playing really good cricket but they have to play to their potential,” he said.
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The former coach also said the visitors would have no fear against their opponents this time around. “In the past we always feared Australia, thinking they are the better side – but not at the moment,” he said. “I don’t know what will happen in a couple of years, the Aussies always know how to bounce, back but yes at the moment Pakistan stands a good chance.”
Regarding the disappointing series against New Zealand, which saw Pakistan move down to fourth in International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, Waqar said the loss would serve Misbah’s men as ‘a wakeup call’ and motivate them to do well going forward.
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“The New Zealand series is a big wakeup call for them [Pakistan], being the number one team and then losing like this, I don’t think it will sit well with them,” he said.
“I think they’ll have learnt their lesson,” he added.
Waqar Younis was quoted by WAtoday
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