Pakistan Ready To Play Tough Cricket In Final Test; Will Aim For Win - Saqlain Mushtaq On Third Test In Lahore

Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has said that the national team will go for the win in the third and final Test match in Lahore against Australia and will aim to pocket the series as well after the first two Tests ended in a draw in Rawalpindi and Karachi.

It is Australia’s first tour to Pakistan since 1998 but the first two Tests in Rawalpindi and Karachi ended in draws, drawing criticism from all quarters regarding the pitches. While the pitches made for both the Test proved to be highways, Pakistan made the second Test match entertaining to watch.

They were bowled out for 148 in their first innings in reply to Australia’s massive 556/9d and after the visitors declared their second innings at 97/2, Pakistan was left with the task of chasing down 506 runs to win the Test. And they almost did the unthinkable with Babar Azam making 196, Mohammad Rizwan remaining unbeaten on 104 and Abdullah Shafique making 96, the home side finished their second innings on 443/7.

“I think after our fight back we are very optimistic and we will play hard to get a result and obviously we also want a result and to win this series. We are ready to play tough cricket in the final Test,” Saqlain said in a media interaction on Friday.

I Think We Created History The Way The Second Test Ended: Saqlain Mushtaq

In the two Tests so far, eight centuries were scored — six by Pakistani batters and two by Australia in Karachi. Both games have produced over 2300 runs with 14 wickets falling in Pindi and 28 in Karachi. This has resulted in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) calling for former ICC Academy head curator Toby Lumsden to supervise the preparations for the final match at Gaddafi Stadium starting Monday.

Saqlain admitted that the team management have made some mistakes in the preparation and planning for the series.

“Yes, the surface for the second Test was on a slower side but it ticked all the boxes for a memorable Test match. It fulfilled all requirements to have a good test as it had spin, reverse swing and uneven bounce. Both teams fought hard and made it a memorable Test match. Frankly speaking if the weather had not played a part and we did not lose those 60-70 overs we would have got a great Test match maybe even a result,” Saqlain added.

Mushtaq said Pakistan had created history the way they played over 1000 deliveries to draw the second Test in Karachi.

“I think we created history the way the second Test ended. Every player showed their character and self-belief in each other. Lot of people said it was impossible for us to save the Test. We played more than 1000 deliveries and remember Australia is the no-one Test side and the way they beat England 4-0 recently their confidence was sky high. I consider myself lucky to be head coach and feel proud of the way our players fought after the first innings collapse,” Saqlain added.

The Pakistan-Australia Test series will be followed by a three-match ODI series and then a one-off T20I match.

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