PAK vs AUS: Watch - Michael Kasprowicz Panics On-Air, Changes Remark About 'Flat Pitch' To 'Beautiful Batting Strips' Amid Ramiz Raja's Directive
Former Australian cricketer Michael Kasprowicz panicked on-air during Day 2 of the Lahore Test between Australia and Pakistan. Heading into the final game, reports said that a directive had been issued by PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, disallowing commentators to discuss the ‘flatness’ of the pitches.
However, while in full flow, Kasprowicz ended up calling the surface in Lahore ‘flat’, before immediately realizing what he had done. He apologized and changed his remark about the pitch to ‘beautiful batting strips’.
Here’s what Michael Kasprowicz said:
“It’s important, isn’t it. We talk about the spinners, the variations, the speed is certainly one of those things. But also for the fast bowlers, and certainly Mitchell Starc’s speeds have been very consistent here at 140.”
“But I think, the key also, on these flat wickets — sorry, on these good batting strips, beautiful batting strips…” Kasprowicz was quoted as saying.
Have a listen to Michael Kasprowicz go into full panic mode once he realizes he’s called the pitches “flat” despite the PCB giving a directive to the commentators not to mention how flat they are… #<!---->P<!---->A<!---->K<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->8<!---->L<!---->i<!---->0<!---->C<!---->s<!---->D<!---->R<!---->z<!---->3 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->S<!---->U<!---->X<!---->n<!---->9<!---->N<!---->2<!---->q<!---->9<!---->v
— Darren Murphy ? (@MrDMurphy) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2
The reports surfaced after the first two Tests on Australia’s historic tour ended in draws. While the first Test was as tame as it gets, the second Test became interesting after Australian bowlers extracted reverse swing. Eventually, it also ended in a draw.
So far, the third Test has panned out in a similar fashion. The Australian team batted first and put up 391 on the board, with fifties from Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey. At the close of play on Day 2, Pakistan had reached 90/1.
There are precious WTC points at stake for both teams. They are currently in the top two but further draws will only dent their chances of making it to the finals. South Africa and India are the other contenders vying for the WTC final.
