Pakistan Eye

A Historic Series Win

After being humiliated and white-washed by the Aussies in the ODI series, the Pakistanis surprised everybody by bouncing back handsomely and winning the first Test emphatically by 221 runs in Dubai.

Suddenly, the Australians have started to feel the heat in the desert. The second and final Test of the series starts tomorrow in Abu Dhabi and the tourists are keen on restoring their pride. The Australians are known for their tenacity and courage and the Pakistanis will be well aware of a possible backlash coming their way.

Sure a crushing loss in the previous start will be a hard pill to swallow for the Aussies, but given their recent track record in the Tests, it would be a folly to bet again Michael Clarke’s men.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will be desperate to end their twenty year rut of not winning a Test series against the Aussies. It was way back in 1994, when Pakistan merely managed to beat the Aussies in a Test series.

Given so much at stake, the Abu Dhabi Test will be an intriguing one. And, if both teams can bring their best game to the field, then we could have a tremendous end to the Test series. Still it is anybody’s ball game.

Pitch & Conditio

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The Australians couldn’t adapt well to the conditions in Dubai. Besides the heat, the pitch was playing low and slow. And, the Pakistani spin pair of Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah spun a web around the Aussie batsmen. The conditions in Abu Dhabi too will be similar. Expect variable bounce and the spinners could once again call the shots. That said, the batsmen can get decent runs in the first two days and it is highly unlikely that the captain winning the toss might be tempted to bowl first.

Given the success in Dubai, the Pakistanis are unlikely to make any changes to their playing eleven. That said, they might be tempted to give their veteran opener Tuafeeq Umar a go for the out of sorts Mohammad Hafeez.

On the other hand, the visitors too are unlikely to make any wholesale changes to their squad. A few questions have been raised about Alex Doolan’s place in the team, but he might just keep his place ahead of Phil Hughes. Spinner O’Keefe might have to sit out for a seamer. But that is likely to be a delayed decision which might be taken early morning tomorrow.

Key Players:

Mitchell JohnsonHis fiery and hostile spell with the new cherry can

destroy the Pakistanis in a jiffy. If there is some moisture in the wicket, this champion bowler will exploit it. A must

in all fantasy cricket teams.

Azhar AliHe has got a compact technique to survive against an Aussie pace onslaught. His role with the bat at the top will be vital

for Pakistan. A value for money pick in fantasy cricket leagues.

PAK Probable 11:Shehzad,

T Umar/Hafeez, Younis, A Ali,

Misbah, Shafiq, Ahmed, Babar, R Ali,

Y Shah, I Khan

AUS Probable 11:Warner, Rogers,

Doolan/Hughes, Clarke, Smith,

Haddin, Marsh,

Johnson, Siddle,

Hilfenaus/O’Keefe, Lyon