Johnson: the talk of the Pakistan camp for Test series

We have planned ways of tackling the lethal fast-bowler, say batsmen

DUBAI: Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson, who has a knack for getting under a batsman’s skin, especially after his reemergence as a lethal fast-bowler, has been a major talking point in the Pakistan camp that has been bearing the brunt of his aggressive attack in the ongoing first Test at the Dubai International Stadium.

The 32-year-old left-arm pacer has become a nightmare for batsmen around the world ever since he started bowling vicious bouncers, leaving several opponents physically and mentally scarred. His attacking approach left the English batting line-up battered and bruised in the Ashes whitewash.

Such has been hype of the Australian that in the recent past, Zimbabwe medium pacer Tinashe Panyangara scared his teammates by sharing a video of a lethal Johnson spell on social media on the eve of team’s match against Australia — Panyangara was later banned for his eccentricity.

Johnson has already inflicted considerable damage on Pakistan by snaring six wickets during the 3-0 ODI series win in the ongoing tour.

Subsequently, The Express Tribune has learnt that the Pakistan batsmen have discussed his threat among themselves and strategised ways of tackling him in the Test series.

“Johnson has been a talking point among the players, as his habit of picking up wickets by instilling fear among batsmen is a challenge we are going to be confronted with during the two Tests,” said a Pakistan batsman.

“But we’re ready for the challenge as we’re taking the battle positively. He tested us with short pitch stuff in the ODIs as well, so we’ve got a bit more idea what is coming at us.”

Asked whether anyone from the team has shared Johnson’s video just like Panyangara, the player laughed it off, stating, “What Panyangara did was really shocking and quite funny as well, but no one has so far attempted such banter in our team. All of us are geared up for his bowling spells and that of the rest of the Australian attack.”

On day one of the first Test, Johnson left his mark by delivering sharp bouncers, one of which left Younus Khan with a sore shoulder while another thumped Azhar Ali on his hand. The premier pacer also rattled Muhammad Hafeez with an unplayable swinging yorker in the very first over of the match that rapped the right-hander on his right shoe.

 

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