Director of Pakistan Team Fumes Over Practice Wicket In Australia
The Director of Cricket of Team Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez, was a frustrated figure while sharing his views on the pitch used for the team's four-day practice match against Australia's Prime Minister XI last week. The match, which was played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra from December 6–9, ended in a draw ahead of the three-match series between Australia and Pakistan, starting December 14. Hafeez criticised the pitch and conditions laid out for Pakistan's warm-up game in Canberra, saying that it was the "slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on" Down Under.
During Pakistan's training session at the WACA Stadium in Perth, Hafeez said, "That was the slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on in Australia. As a team, we are really happy with our preparations because we checked most of the boxes."
Hafeez said, while they weren't expecting the conditions on offer in Canberra, the Pakistan team is ready for the upcoming challenge.
He further added that "the disappointment was really high because we weren't expecting these kinds of arrangements. Maybe it's tactical, but we're ready for it. We're not using it as an excuse; we're absolutely ready for the challenges coming up.”