‘Pakistan’s fast-bowlers lacked planning’

Former coach Akram says tourists face huge challenge after Aussies dominate opening day

KARACHI: Former Pakistan bowling coach Muhammad Akram feels Pakistan face an uphill task to make a comeback in the first of their three-Test series after Australia dominated proceedings on day one at Brisbane.

Akram was scathing in his review of the pacers. “It seemed to me that the fast-bowlers were bowling with no plan,” the former Test pacer told The Express Tribune. “They were bowling with the same approach that they employ in the UAE.”

The 42-year-old said the bowlers need to fix where they land the ball. “In Australian conditions, the bowlers get more bounce and the fast-bowlers need to bowl on a proper line and length. That was missing from the three fast-bowlers on the opening day. They lacked discipline.”



He also felt that the visitors could have done with a right-arm pacer. “A right-armer could have given Pakistan more variety in their pace attack as the left-arm trio bowled with similar approach,” he said.

Yasir Shah took only one wicket in 31 overs, giving away 97 runs, and Akram feels the leg-spinner will have to bowl smartly to improve his figures.

“The Australian batsmen have done their homework and were reading him very well. Now Yasir needs to be smarter in his approach,” said Akram, before adding that the spinner’s performance has been affected by the departure of former spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed. “It’s obvious Yasir’s performance has been affected since Mushtaq stopped travelling with the team. He has been struggling in conditions outside the UAE.”



Akram said Pakistan have their work cut out if they are to get a positive result out of this Test. “If they manage to dismiss Australia inside the 500-run mark then it would be an achievement,” he said.

However, he believes Pakistan’s batsmen, who have struggled so far Down Under, can dig their side out of this hole. “Pakistan can make a comeback as they have some good batsmen who can excel in any condition.”