Momentum, what momentum? Khawaja asks Pakistan
Aussie batsman questions the concept before second Test in Melbourne
Asad Shafiq plays one towards the leg side on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia. PHOTO COURTESY: CRICKET AUSTRALIA
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja thinks talks of Pakistan going into the second Test against hosts in Melbourne with momentum on their side is illogical.
Pakistan, who are currently 1-0 down in the three-match series after they lost the first Test by 39 runs, nearly pulled off a historic run-chase in Gabba.
Their incredible fightback has led some pundits to believe that the Boxing Day Test is going to be another hard-fought contest, with Pakistan having a slight upper hand — a notion Khawja doesn't agree with.
"I don't think that matters — it's a different ground, different conditions, and you can't really measure momentum, can you? I'm not sure if it exists," said Khawaja.
The 30-year-old agreed that Australia could have performed better with the ball in the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan but he will take a win for a result any time of the day.
"There are always things we can do better, no matter what game, but ... we still won," he said. "It doesn't matter what margin you win by — you don't get any more points for winning earlier, later, even though it's nicer to win earlier.”
He continued: "We know we could have been better in a few spots and we hope to improve that in the next game, but a win's a win. If you gave me the same result in this game, I'd take it."
Khawaja then gave credit to Pakistan for putting up a good show. "We weren't playing at our best and they were playing very well, that's what it's all about.”
However, he thinks Australia were in in the driving seat right from day one up until the final ball. "We led the game the whole way through; we sort of controlled it the whole way through,” Khawaja added.
Usman Khawaja was quoted by NZ Herald
Pakistan, who are currently 1-0 down in the three-match series after they lost the first Test by 39 runs, nearly pulled off a historic run-chase in Gabba.
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Their incredible fightback has led some pundits to believe that the Boxing Day Test is going to be another hard-fought contest, with Pakistan having a slight upper hand — a notion Khawja doesn't agree with.
"I don't think that matters — it's a different ground, different conditions, and you can't really measure momentum, can you? I'm not sure if it exists," said Khawaja.
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The 30-year-old agreed that Australia could have performed better with the ball in the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan but he will take a win for a result any time of the day.
"There are always things we can do better, no matter what game, but ... we still won," he said. "It doesn't matter what margin you win by — you don't get any more points for winning earlier, later, even though it's nicer to win earlier.”
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He continued: "We know we could have been better in a few spots and we hope to improve that in the next game, but a win's a win. If you gave me the same result in this game, I'd take it."
Khawaja then gave credit to Pakistan for putting up a good show. "We weren't playing at our best and they were playing very well, that's what it's all about.”
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However, he thinks Australia were in in the driving seat right from day one up until the final ball. "We led the game the whole way through; we sort of controlled it the whole way through,” Khawaja added.
Usman Khawaja was quoted by NZ Herald