Hafeez managed a disappointing return of 43 runs in six innings during the Test series and totalled 118 runs in five ODIs against South Africa. PHOTO: AFP
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ordered English-style pitches to help their struggling batsmen prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy, which will played in England in June.
Pakistan batsmen had a woeful time on the fast and bouncy tracks in South Africa where they were whitewashed 3-0 in Tests and edged out 3-2 in the One-Day International (ODI) series last month. However, the team was able to clinch the sole Twenty20 that was played.
Teams from the sub-continent raised on slow, dry pitches have traditionally struggled in countries like England and South Africa, where conditions offer more help to quick bowlers.
Additionally, the Pakistan batsmen have been out of form with Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed struggling at the top of the order during the Test series. Veteran Younus Khan has been omitted from a 30-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy because of poor form, while young guns like Azhar Ali were visibly uncomfortable on South Africa pitches against the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
Asad Shafiq was the country’s leading run-scorer in Tests with 199 runs in six innings with a total of just two centuries recorded by Pakistan batsmen during the entire three-match series against South Africa.
Keeping this in mind, the PCB decided that after the South African debacle, in which the tourists were shot out for their lowest Test score of 49 in the first Test in Johannesburg, the team needed intense preparation for the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from June 6.
“The committee noted that during the South Africa tour batsmen struggled,” read a PCB statement. “Considering the venue of the Champions Trophy it was decided that special pitches, which are closer to English conditions, will be prepared for the training camp.”
The 10-day camp will be held at Abbottabad.
Wasim to lead separate fast-bowling clinic
Meanwhile, legendary paceman Wasim Akram will lead a separate 10-day fast-bowling clinic in Karachi.
Wasim will join the camp later in Abbottabad for a few days, the PCB said.
Media reports said captain Misbah-ul Haq had suggested the team should prepare on fast pitches for the tournament, in which Pakistan face the West Indies, South Africa and archrivals India in the initial group stage.
Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka make up the other group.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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It has alot to do with quality of the batsman too... They can try hard but if the quality is not there they would even be inconsistent on dead pitches too (as happened with pak in recent past where batting let them down even on dead tracks). So they should give new batsman chances instead of 2-3 old tested and failed batsman......I am confident this will work.
It doesn't matter. Train on these pitches not doing any good for Players. it should be used in Domestic games so technically more sound batsmen will be produced. As for the team it doesn't change much most players from SouthAfrican Tour will be selected.
Damn!! I thought they had already implemented such tactics, no wonder the batsmen have no knowledge how to play on bouncy and fast tracks.
Its LATE .... But GOOD move.