Don’t expect miracles from Pakistan team, says skipper Yousuf

HOBART - Pakistan is unlikely to improve its performance in the Test arena without concrete measures and people should not have high expectations from the team, skipper Mohammad Yousuf conceded Saturday.

Yousuf said in an interview that people should stop expecting his below-par and inexperienced team to perform miracles at the Test level, especially against top sides.

“If you expect something of this side, then maybe that is the wrong expectation. You have to see where we are playing, which team we are playing. You should keep that in mind. Our team doesn’t have many world class players. Most of the batsmen average below 30. Then how can you expect them to come here and beat top teams like Australia?” said Yousuf.

Pakistan is trailing 0-2 in the Test series against Australia and it seems that only rain can save them in the third and final Test in Hobart.

But Yousuf was quick to point out that in the past Pakistan have lost by 0-3 margins here even with stronger teams with big names like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. He said that Pakistan had at least came close to beating Australia in Sydney last week.

“Over the years, many teams came here from Pakistan and big players but nobody performed like the way we did here. Obviously we lost the series but at least we came close to winning (in Sydney). We have a young team without any big players but they are trying and I appreciate it. I think people should also appreciate that,” he said.

Yousuf said that chronic problems like poor catching will need long term measures.

“People who are involved in first-class cricket, coaches and everyone should look at what they are doing in domestic cricket. This is not the stage to learn cricket.”

Pakistan is facing a long and challenging Test summer with six Tests in England against Australia and the hosts.