'Learn from Indian curators how they prepare rank turners' - Aaqib Javed comes down hard at PCB over two drawn Tests vs Australia

Former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed is not happy with the PCB over two relatively flat pitches on offer in the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia. The first two matches of the series have ended in a draw with the pitch for Rawalpindi Test also getting below average rating from the ICC. On the other hand, the Karachi pitch didn’t deteriorate much with Pakistan batting out 171.4 overs to earn a fighting draw.

Javed feels the curators in Pakistan should learn from the Indian pitch curators and wants PCB to take a step in this regard. PCB has also attracted a lot of criticism over docile pitches on offer during the series against Australia. Teams batting first have notched up more than 450 runs in the first innings of both the Tests.

He reckons that the pitches should be prepared conducive to Pakistan spinners to take the home advantage just like how India has been doing over the last few years.

“Why go anywhere else? I would say find out from the curators in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai etc how they prepare the turners on which Indian spinners dominate. I am surprised until now Pakistan has not been able to produce pure turning tracks, which will help our spinners,” Aaqib Javed said while speaking on his Youtube channel.

PCB seeks help from ICC Academy head curator

Meanwhile, it is understood that the PCB has sought help from the ICC Academy head curator Toby Lumsden to look after the pitch preparations for the final Test to be played in Lahore. Moreover, a reliable source in the PCB has also stated that the Chairman Ramiz Raja is focussing on the improving pitches in the country in the near future.

“He wants to also change and improve the process of preparing pitches and Lumsden might also be given a longer assignment to help train the local curators,” the source said according to News18.