Cricket: Pakistan hope to keep winning against Australia in Tests, Shahid Afridi is confident
Pakistan Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 went into this series with youngsters on board. The Greens pulled off surprisingly good performances in their T20 matches, where they thrashed Australia. Pakistan white washed the Australians by winning both T20 games against them.
It took Pakistan 14 games to crack the code against Australia. They had lost 13 games against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in all formats of the game. Pakistan will have to play competitive cricket against Australia in order to win in the test format of the game. Coach Waqar Younis is happy with his team’s performance. Younis, who at his peak was a nightmare for any batsman, believes that the Australian series followed by the English series will be a learning experience for youngsters in the side.
Pakistan is playing without the services of senior players. Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousaf are not part of team because of different controversies. Youngsters in the form of Umar Akmal and Muhammad Aamer have stepped up their efforts to take more responsibility. Waqar said, "We have a very young but exciting side and I think they are really looking forward to these Test matches”.
Pakistan is playing a home series in England because of security threats in Pakistan. Cricket in Pakistan has faced different problems in recent times but under the leadership of Shahid Afridi, the team has managed to bag victories against Australia, not to forget they reached the semi finals of T20 World Cup.
Pakistan had great support in Edgbaston when they played two T20s against Australia. Coach Waqar Younis was very happy with the support they have received in England. Some suggest it has turned out to be a good thing since they are playing in better weather conditions than Pakistan while having the same support of a home crowd. Waqar said that they all have the support they need from the crowd and should play to their best potential. While praising the support in England, coach Waqar felt sorry for not playing in Pakistan. He said, "It is sad not to be playing in Pakistan because we have eight or nine beautiful stadiums. It's a shame and it's sad, but that's the way it is. You can't do anything at the moment and we've got to take what's being given".
ECB Chairman has come out in support to host more Pakistani matches in England. Giles Clarke said that the English and Wales Cricket board will stand by Pakistan in their hour of need. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 said, “The ICC Pakistan taskforce understands the importance to world cricket of ensuring that Pakistan continues to play at the highest level. In order to ensure this is possible and to also assist with the development of the next generation of Pakistani cricketers.” This is not the first time that Pakistan is hosting its match in another country. Pakistan was hosting its matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but Clarke believes the kind of support Pakistan has received in England, this should be the ideal place for them.
Birmingham was completely in support of Pakistan, with the jam packed Edgbaston crowd chanting slogans in favour of Pakistan. There was hardly any Australian support in the crowd which was a good sign for Pakistan. Pakistan will play against Australia this Tuesday in the first test match. Pakistan will hope to get the same support as they got in the T20 matches.
Afridi is counting on his batsman to put up a big score on the board so that bowlers have a decent total to play for. Shahid Afridi will be making a comeback to test cricket after about a four year break. Afridi played his last test in 2006 after which he decided not to play test cricket and concentrate on T20 and One Day Internationals. The hard hitting captain admitted that he will be missing Yousuf and Younis for this tour but insisted he will work with the current team to bring out required results. "Obviously we will miss their experience," Afridi said. "But right now I am focusing completely on the team I have. They are the ones who will fight for Pakistan in the Test matches and I retain confidence they can do this".
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