Pakistan bowlers will have to operate smartly: Aaqib

Former pacer says team did not get good practice due to rain in Australia warm-up

KARACHI: Former pacer Aaqib Javed believes Pakistani bowlers will have to be smart in the English conditions and he praised left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir for using the conditions in his favour in the second rain-ruined warm-up match against Australia at Edgbaston.

The rain-delayed match began with overcast conditions when Australia won the toss and decided to bat first in the 34-overs-a-side contest, but only 10.2 overs of play was possible as rain had the last laugh before the match was abandoned.

Amir bowled four out of the 10.2 over where Australia batted and he bagged the wicket of left-handed opener David Warner (11) as he edged a short ball to wicketkeeper-captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

“Amir has been bowling really well and he has been a key player for Pakistan in difficult situations. And the way he used the conditions after the rain in his favour to dismiss Warner was incredible,” Aaqib told The Express Tribune.

“Warner is in good form and he has been scoring runs against almost every other bowler and Amir taking his wicket is a positive thing to see before the group matches.”

Aaqib then praised left-arm pacer Junaid Khan saying that, “he can baffle the batsman with his swing and take wickets for Pakistan with the new ball”.

The 44-year-old also advised the bowlers to operate smartly in England.

“We have really good bowlers in our squad and all we need to do in the Champions Trophy is to play smartly,” he said.

Pakistan played two warm-up matches against Bangladesh and Australia respectively to prepare for the group matches of the Champions Trophy and Aaqib said it was high time for Sarfraz and co to experiment with their strategies and planning.

“These are the matches where teams and players test different strategies. I hope they had their fair share of time on the field because tougher matches are coming up for Pakistan in their group,” he said.

Beating India most important: Latif

Meanwhile, former captain Rashid Latif believes Pakistan can take advantage of the weather conditions in their first match, which he thinks will be Pakistan’s most important outing in the Champions Trophy.

“The weather is expected to be similar [as in the second warm-up against Australia] with some showers and Pakistani bowlers can take advantage of the conditions to take early wickets,” Latif said while talking to The Express Tribune.

“Pakistan will have to evaluate the situation well and winning the toss will also render some advantage. It will be a game of minds.”

Pakistan-India rivalry according to most cricket pundits is the biggest in the sport and Latif also wants his country to come out on top in this battle of the Asian arch-rivals.

“If they win the opening match against India then for me they have won the tournament,” he said.

“The Pakistan-India match is always the marquee clash in any tournament and the whole world watches it. There will be pressure on Sarfraz and the players but they will have to stay mentally strong to win the match.”