The Australian bowling attack lacked sharp spinners and that played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory in the first Test on Sunday, former captain Muhammad Yousuf said.
Yousuf’s comments came after Pakistan rolled over Australia by 221 runs in Dubai to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
“If you compare the spin bowlers of both sides Australia have weak spinners and I never expected them to trouble our batsmen. Their real threat comes from the pace bowlers,” Yousuf said.
“T20s, ODIs and Test cricket are three different formats and our team has done badly in the Test format so I am not surprised by this win today,” he said.
Pakistan’s maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said the team now should not play for a draw in the second Test in Abu Dhabi and go all out to win the series.
Yousuf and Akhtar have been fierce critics of the Pakistan team in recent times and have lamented the fact that Pakistan has not won a test series since last beating England 3-0 in the UAE in 2012.
Yousuf said UAE had become virtual fortresses for Pakistan in Test cricket as they play most of ‘home’ series there.
“I don’t remember the last time we lost a Test series in the UAE. Either we have won or drawn a series.”
Yousuf said that on the UAE tracks, Australia apart from Mitchel Johnson didn’t have the firepower to bowl out Pakistan twice.
Yousuf, however, advised the Pakistan team management to think about playing Muhammad Hafeez lower down the batting order if he was being selected as a fifth bowler in the side.
“I don’t think he should be opening the innings and it is better if he is used down the order as an allrounder.”
Akhtar said that Pakistan had won the first test because they showed courage and were not afraid to lose.
“We played brave cricket and we were positive and that helped us win. We must continue with this same attitude in the second Test as well as it is a great opportunity for us to win a Test series against Australia after 20 years,” he said.
Akhtar also praised spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah for their contribution in team’s win.
“Their bowling in testing conditions was admirable and I think their vast experience at playing in domestic cricket has helped them adapt well to test cricket.
“We have a quality spin attack despite the absence of Saeed Ajmal and we must now try to go for a win with a brave attitude in the second Test as well,” he said.
