Haddin surprised by Pakistan fightback on day three

Former Australian wicketkeeper believes the visitors have learned from their first innings mistakes

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said that he was surprised by the Pakistan team’s fightback on the third day of the first Test at Gabba on Saturday.

The 39-year-old, in a video interview with ESPNCricinfo, said that he thought the last session would be a lot more troubling for the visitors than it actually was.

“I was one of those who thought the last session would move quickly than it did,” said Haddin. “It was nice to see Pakistan fight back which shows that they have learned from their first innings’ mistake. That being said, it's going to be a difficult getting back in the game.”

Haddin, who represented Kangaroos in 66 Tests, 126 ODIs and 34 T20Is, further criticised Pakistan’s bowling performance in the first innings, but also believed that visitors’ bowling attacking is capable of making a comeback in the next matches.

“I don’t know how Pakistan were not prepared for the first Test as they have Mickey Arthur as their coach and he knows the conditions well here,” he said. “Probably bowlers got excited with more bounce on the track, which made them lose control over their line and length.”

He further added, “They learned from their mistakes from the first innings and bowled better in the second, but it was just a little too late. Since the next matches will be played with the red ball instead of the pink, these bowlers are fully capable of better performances.

“They are quality bowlers who are good exponents of reverse swings. With pink balls, teams still don’t know how to work with them but with the red ball, they [Pakistani bowlers] will find it easier to bring reverse swing in the game.”