Pakistan should not get carried away by T20 triumph over Oz, say former greats
By ANIThursday, July 8, 2010
KARACHI - Pakistan should not get carried away by their T20 series sweep over Australia, as Ricky Ponting’s men would be a hard nut to crack during the upcoming Test series, former Pakistan cricketers have said.
Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said the 2-0 win in the T20 series was great, but it should not be seen as a benchmark for the Test series.
“Pakistan have been world champions in Twenty20 cricket and we all know they are very good in this format of the sport. But the success in the Twenty20 series should not be seen as something that will decide the Test series as well,” Qadir said.
Qadir pointed out that though Pakistan played well in both the matches, the Kangaroos were already under pressure after losing the one-day series against England.
“I am not surprised that Pakistan beat Australia in the Twenty20 series. We shouldn’t forget that Australia were already under pressure because they had lost the one-day series to England,” he said.
Qadir said Pakistan’s real test would come in the Test series.
“But we have some exciting young players in the side and if they all play as a team they can produce positive results,” he added.
Former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said he was confident about Pakistan’s victory in the T20 series, as Shahid Afridi led team has some quality players who are best suited for the slam bang version of the game.
“I am happy that we at least broke the losing sequence against Australia.I was confident we would win this series because we have some excellent players for this format of the sport,” said Inzamam, one of Pakistan’s most successful captains.
Inzamam, however, underlined that the win in T20 series does not ensure the same result in the Test series.
He said that one of the major concerns for Pakistan is that the Test team lack experience.
“The biggest problem I see in this team is that among the players selected for the Test matches none of them have really ever held regular places in the Test side in the last few years. And in Test cricket you need to have players with Test match experience, acumen and staying power,” The Daily Times quoted Inzamam, as saying.
The first Test between the two teams starts at Lord’s from July 13. (ANI)
