PAK vs AUS: I Tried To Watch But I Couldn't, It Is Quite Boring To Be Honest: Wasim Akram Blasts At PCB For Preparing Dead Pitches

Former Pakistan pace bowler Wasim Akram lashed out at Pakistan Cricket Board over the pitch controversy issue in the ongoing Test series between Australia and Pakistan.

In what looks Australian team’s first visit to Pakistan after a gap of 24 years, the pitches have been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

PCB under the spotlight for pitch controversy

A total of 1187 runs were piled and just 14 wickets fell in the first Test match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. PCB drew a lot of flak from around the corner of the world for preparing dead wickets for Test matches. Australia skipper Pat Cummins and his deputy Steve Smith slammed the pitch.

Although PCB chairman Ramiz Raja defended the criticism over the pitch, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave a ”below average’ rating to the pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the venue also received a demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

As both teams moved from Rawalpindi to Karachi for the second Test, nothing seems to have changed much as Australia batter for almost seven sessions in the first innings to post 556/9 and it looks like this match might also not give any results for the fans and experts.

There is a method to making slow tracks: Wasim Akram

Akram, who was part of Pakistan’s squad when Australia visited their country in 1998, criticised the Pakistan board for not preparing adequate pitches that can produce results in Test cricket. The 55-year-old also cited the example of how pitches were prepared during their playing times.

“During our time it depended a lot on what the captain wanted. These two Test matches I tried to watch but I couldn’t. As an ex-fast bowler, I knew this would be a draw match after the second delivery of the match. When West Indies used to come back in our days when Imran Khan was the captain, we used to make slow pitches,” Akram said during an event on Monday.

“There is a method to making slow tracks. If you want to do that, on the basis of a technicality, you roll the centre less and leave the area around the front foot a little dry so that the ball turns from day 1. If you want to make slow pitches at least make it a turner so that we get a result-oriented match. I hope they learn from it whoever is making the pitches. It is quite boring, to be honest,” he added. 

Pakistan were 45/2 after 20 overs on the third day of the second Test with Azhar Ali (11) and Babar Azam (0) were present at the crease.

Also Read: PAK vs AUS: Salman Butt Lashes Out At PCB For Preparing Another Dead Rubber In Karachi After Rawalpindi Criticism