Pakistan aim for change of fortunes

Following a historic win over Australia, Pakistan arrive at the venue of their 2009 World Twenty20 semi-final triumph.

NOTTINGHAM: Following a historic three-wicket series-levelling win over Australia, Pakistan arrive at the venue of their 2009 World Twenty20 semi-final triumph over South Africa in the first of the four Tests against England.

While England pose a different opposition, the conditions, the team morale and even the captain, remains the same to what it was at Headingley after Pakistan recorded their first win in 15 years against Australia.

With a peculiar Future Tour Programme and the instability in Pakistan, the two sides meet after a gap of four years - Pakistan lost the last series 3-0 following two losses and a forfeiture after ball-tampering allegations. Salman Butt, however, remains confident that history, including the allegations at The Oval in 2006, will count for nothing when the Test series starts today.

“We don’t need to think about things that our beyond our control,” said Salman on the eve of the first Test. “We need to focus on the games to come. We’re a young unit, we’re backing ourselves and this is the best way to do what we’re here to do.”

Pakistan will resist temptation to tinker with the side that recorded the win against Australia. The stability and the persistence with youngsters despite testing, alien conditions and quality opposition has been a message repeatedly delivered by Salman since his appointment as captain after the first Test of the tour at Lord’s.

“The youngsters played well in difficult conditions against one of the best bowling attacks in the world and they showed that they’re a bright future. It’s because of that, we need to back them and persist with them.”

Despite the promising start by Umar Amin and Azhar Ali, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s opening combination with the ball: Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif. The duo shared 22 of the 40 Australian wickets and it was their ability to move the ball atrociously that left the Australians aghast.

“The bowling attack brings a lot of confidence to me. You know that whatever total you put up, your bowlers are capable of defending it. Aamir has most skills that you need in a fast-bowler, Asif is one of the best and Umar Gul, with the old ball, is one of the most lethal bowlers in the world.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2010.