Shan sets tough target for team
to rewrite history in Australia
Asher Butt
LAHORE: Pakistan’s new Test team
captain Shan Masood expressed his determination to deliver positive results
during the upcoming Australian tour.
The captain, who took over the
leadership role after Babar Azam stepped down following the disappointing World
Cup campaign, emphasized that the team would strive to perform exceptionally
well in the challenging series.
Shan held a press conference at
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, ahead of the team’s tour to Australia. The Pakistan
squad is set to depart from Lahore in the early hours of 30 November and will
be playing three Test matches in Australia, scheduled from 14 December 2023 to
7 January 2024.
Masood expressed his excitement
about the opportunity to lead Pakistan in Australia. He stated, “The
opportunity presented to us is exciting and challenging for us as a team. We
have started the World Test Championship on a good note so far and our goal is
to continue that and hopefully play the final.”
Pakistan faces a historic
hurdle, having never won a Test series in Australia in the 12 times they have
toured down under. The South Asian side has lost the last 14 five-dayers in a
row on Australian soil. Despite this daunting record, Masood sees an
opportunity for the team to make history.
"When you have not achieved
something in history, then you have an opportunity to change it," Masood
stated, highlighting the team's commitment to producing positive results for
Pakistan and contributing to the World Test Championship.
Currently sitting atop the World
Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, Pakistan has secured wins in both Tests
against Sri Lanka. Masood acknowledged the formidable competition, with India
in second place and Australia in third. However, he remains optimistic about
Pakistan's chances and stressed the importance of approaching the series with a
winning mindset.
The Test series against
Australia is set to kick off with the first match in Perth on December 14,
followed by matches in Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7).
Reflecting on the team's
preparations, Masood noted that they had worked hard to replicate Australian
conditions during their training camp in Rawalpindi, which featured a bouncy
pitch.
The appointment of former
England skipper Adam Hollioake as the team's new batting coach was also hailed
by Masood, citing the importance of leveraging local expertise.
Masood welcomed the appointment
of Adam Hollioake as the team’s new batting coach. He said, “I have been
fortunate enough to get captaincy opportunities in my career. Getting the
Multan Sultans captaincy under Andy Flower really helped me. I look at it as a
turning point in my career. Similarly, working with Derbyshire and Yorkshire
really helped me. Especially Yorkshire, as there was lots going on there off
the field as well so I learnt how to lead a dressing room [during crisis],
which I think may help me a lot in my new assignment.”
Masood emphasized that the team
has been preparing intensively for the tour. He said, “We have prepared well
for this series. We tried to replicate the Australian conditions in our
training camp in Rawalpindi, which has a bouncy pitch. We will be practicing in
Canberra after we arrive in Australia and then we have a match against Prime
Minister’s XI, which is a solid side as well, so we are hoping that it will
help us prepare for the three Test matches well.”
Addressing the team composition,
Masood mentioned that the settled team would see minimal changes, focusing on
maintaining a balance between batting and bowling strength. He highlighted the
need to score 400 runs and take 20 wickets, a strategy that was lacking during
their last tour in 2019.
Masood expressed confidence in
Pakistan’s ability to win the series. He stated, “We will not be making many
changes to the settled team but we will be going with the intent to win so that
will reflect in how the team plays. When the team is settled, you only make
changes if conditions or injuries demand it. We may drop a spinner to play an
extra batter but we have to keep in mind that you need five bowlers to take 20
wickets in a Test match so our priority would be fielding a team that can score
runs and take 20 wickets in each game.”
Masood acknowledged the
experience of veteran players like Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed. He stated, “I
have a really good relationship with Babar Azam, on and off the field. We have
a long working history as we have played together for a very long time. We have
batted together in both in domestic and national level cricket. Babar is a
valuable part of the team’s leadership group and his insight to the team is
immeasurable, as is his batting. Sarfraz Ahmed has been one the most successful
captains and wicket-keepers of Pakistan. His presence in the team is very
important as he has pioneered the change of style in Pakistan’s batting. Whether
it be Sarfaraz, Rizwan or Babar, their expertise will help Pakistan in
Australia, which is a positive thing for us as we will be needing their
experience on the challenging tour.”
Masood emphasized the importance
of playing positive cricket and creating a winning brand of play. He said, “Our
fans demand effort and fight from us and our fans appreciate that more than
day-to-day results. We want to create a brand and style of cricket that
resonates with our fans. Once we do that, results will follow.”
Masood also acknowledged the
absence of fast bowler Haris Rauf but expressed confidence in the available
pacers. He reiterated that former skipper Babar Azam, recognized as Pakistan's
best player, would retain his batting position.
Masood expressed his confidence
in his team’s ability to perform well in the upcoming. He said the importance
of preparation, teamwork, and playing positive cricket. Masood is excited about
the challenge ahead and believes that Pakistan has the potential to win the
series.
In response to questions about
his category D central contract, Masood emphasized that representing Pakistan
was the top priority, irrespective of contract categories. Regarding a rotation
policy for the tour, he clarified that each Test match held significance in the
context of the World Test Championship, and the team would field its best XI in
every game to secure favorable results.
As the Pakistan squad prepares
to depart on November 30, Masood urged the team to relish the challenging
opportunity, build on their recent success, and create a brand and style of
cricket that resonates with fans. The captain expressed confidence in the
team's ability to learn from mistakes and grow collectively during the
challenging tour of Australia.
