Imam-ul-Haq reckons Mohammad Abbas to pose serious threats in the Day-Night Adelaide Test

Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler when Pakistan played a couple of Tests versus Australia last year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The speedster picked up 17 wickets with a couple of five-wicket hauls. But earlier this month, he wasn’t considered in the playing eleven for the opening Test at The Gabba in Brisbane and Aussie skipper Tim Paine was relieved by the move.

Imran Khan, who picked up a fifer in a three-day practice match against Australia A, was preferred ahead of Abbas. The Pakistan team management was greeted with flak after its decision to side-line the speedster. The visitors lost the first Test by an innings and five runs and are next scheduled to play the second and final Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting Friday, November 29.

Mohammad Abbas is very difficult to judge off the pitch, feels Imam

It’s a Day-Night encounter and ahead of the game, Pakistan are contemplating some changes, one of them is bringing back Abbas in the eleven. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq, the left-hander batter, feels that Abbas will be a daunting prospect for the opposition with the pink ball. Imam said that irrespective of the ball, he has always had troubles in facing the 29-year-old seamer.

“Whether it’s white ball or red ball, I always have difficulty facing Mohammad Abbas. He’s very difficult to judge off the pitch—Mohammad Abbas with the pink ball under lights will be difficult to face,” Imam was quoted as saying in Pak Passion. Abbas last played a Test earlier this year in January versus South Africa at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Pakistan fielded a very inexperienced pace attack that included a couple of teenagers- Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abbas’ inclusion is most certain to bolster the fast bowling battery. In 27 Test innings, the seamer has 66 wickets with four five wicket-hauls.

As far as southpaw Imam is concerned, even he is likely to get a chance in the upcoming Test. As per sources, the axe may come down on Haris Sohail, who has been ridiculously out of form. Pakistan are also thinking about promoting Babar Azam higher up the batting order.

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