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Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf will remind his team bursts of brilliance won’t be enough to beat Australia in the first Test at the MCG, starting on Saturday.
Pakistan’s greatest cricketing triumph in two years of turmoil has been their victory in this year’s Twenty20 world championships in England.
That achievement was popular across the world given Pakistan have endured their share of troubles, including the death of coach Bob Woolmer in 2007 and the attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore this year, which brought to an end touring teams visiting the country.
Yousuf said he was happy with the way his young side performed throughout the recent drawn series in New Zealand, and took consolation knowing Australia’s attack is not the same as last time Pakistan toured, when Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath ran riot.
But he said the tourists had to string together good sessions if they were any chance of winning their first Test in Australia since 1995.
“We have to play good cricket for five days,” Yousuf said.
“This is not Twenty20 cricket, it is five-day cricket, at least 30 hours playing good cricket against any team … we will try to play very good cricket, hard cricket.”
Pakistan’s chances of causing a boilover will largely rest with their bowling attack, as Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul have formed a formidable pace unit to complement legspinner Danish Kaneria.
“Yes, we have a very good bowling side we can take 20 wickets in a Test,” Yousuf said.
“So far I’m very happy with the team from the past three Test matches (against the Black Caps).
“We played good cricket and I am pleased with the way we played … that tour will help us, the conditions are very similar.”
Yousuf said he would aim to repeat his performance at the MCG from last time, when he scored an impressive century.
But he doubted his opposite number Ricky Ponting would have too many troubles against the short ball, a theory claimed by West Indies skipper Chris Gayle recently.
“He has made 25,000 runs in both cricket … he’s the best player,” Yousuf said of Ponting.
Pakistan are yet to finalise their side, but could retain the same XI from the drawn third Test against the Kiwis, which would mean there is no room for offspinner Saeed Ajmal.
Australia have won the past nine Tests between the sides, and Pakistan will be out to improve on the past three series results, which have all been 3-0 drubbings.
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