‘Bottom line was not to lose’ – Shahid Afridi slams pitch conditions in Rawalpindi Test

The recently-concluded first Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a dull draw with just 14 wickets falling across five days of play in the Rawalpindi Stadium. Many eyes were on the clash as it marked Team Australia’s first assignment on Pakistan soil in this century. However, fans and experts weren’t amused with the display as bowlers hardly had any assistance from the surface.

In fact, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq slammed unbeaten half-centuries on Day 5 of the game. This shows how good the track was for batting. Overall, however, cricket fraternity termed the pitch a ‘bad advertisement’ for Test cricket. Meanwhile, former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is the latest to join the hot debate. He reckons the hosts prioritize avoiding a defeat and hence, prepared such run-filled surface.

Pakistan have to make good pitches for next two Tests: Shahid Afridi

“They didn’t think about Australia, the bottomline was ‘we shouldn’t lose’. But in the next two Tests in Lahore and Karachi, they have to make good pitches. You have to take advantage of your home series, or else when you go to Australia, you’re going to struggle,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.

The former Pakistan captain further criticized Babar Azam and the team management’s defensive approach. He also warned that side that the fast bowlers can sustain injuries if the hosts continue to field the seven batters, four bowlers combination.

“Our bowling strength is so good. Our fast bowlers can bowl out this Australian side. And it isn’t as if our batters cannot play the Aussie bowlers. Cricket has grown over the past many years, it is time we grow as well. If you want people to count you among the likes of South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, you need to stay positive,” said Afridi.

“I’ve been playing for long and I know it is there since the start (the combination of seven batters and four bowlers). Six genuine batsmen are enough in any team, then you have an all-rounder and bowlers. But we always play with this combination (7-4). This isn’t going to work. Our batsmen are in form. If you are making pitches like these, you will have to play bowlers or else these fast bowlers will be at the risk of injuries,” he further added.