Akmal, Aamer can cause Australia trouble, feels former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson
Akmal, Aamer can cause Australia trouble, feels former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson
Pakistan have not won a Test series since 2006. Having played only 13 Tests in three years because of political upheaval, they rank a lowly sixth in the ICC Test standings.
But they are known to be an eccentric side, capable of beating the best in the world on their day, as they proved when lifting this year's Twenty20 World Cup in England.
In his newspaper column this morning Ricky Ponting describes them as a "talented and varied side".
Whereas Australia are sentimental favourites to take the measure of the tourists in the series starting in Melbourne on Saturday, former Pakistani coach Geoff Lawson believes the visitors are capable of giving Ricky Ponting's side a run for their money.
Lawson is of the opinion teenagers Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer are capable of causing Australia trouble in what he expects to be a hard-fought series.
Nineteen year old Akmal, is a right-hand batsman who followed his brother Kamran into the national team, scored a century and figured in a 176-run partnership with Kamran on his Test debut against New Zealand last month in the 3-Test series which was drawn 1-1.
At the age of 17, left-arm seamer Aamer is reminiscent of Aaqib Javed, now the team's assistant coach, who made his debut at the MCG at the age of 16.
Experienced pace bowler Mohammad Sami (28) has been recalled to the side to bolster the efforts of Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Aamer and Abdur Rauf.
Sami last played the last of his 33 Tests, against India at Bangalore in December 2007, before being dropped for poor form. He has taken 81 wickets in 33 Tests and 118 in 83 one-day internationals.
Danish Kaneria, who showed impressive form on the recent tour of New Zealand taking seven wickets in New Zealand's first innings in the last Test, will spearhead the spin attack which includes off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
On arrival in Australia last week, captain Mohammad Yousuf talked up his team's bowling strength.
"Our bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets but we need to improve our batting and fielding," Yousuf said. "I think we've got good spinners, the best spinners in the world and fast bowling also".
Pakistan will certainly miss star batsman and former skipper Younis Khan, who went missing for a while after being dropped from the side for the Australian tour. He later appeared for a coaching course at Lahore and pulled out of the New Zealand tour citing poor form.
The 32-year old, who led his side to the T20 World Cup win, is reportedly playing in the finals of a domestic tournament back home and could be inducted in the side if he proves his form.
Senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, a late inclusion in the side for the series against New Zealand, said yesterday Australia's aura has diminished after losing the fear factor of a bowling attack which dominated world cricket, when Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath formed part of it.
However, despite Ponting being a doubtful starter (a decision on his fitness will be taken today at nets), Misbah said the Australians will be quite a handful at home for the young Pakistanis.
"However they are playing, however they are performing, they are giving really tough competition.
"In their own conditions they are really tough to beat. You have to play really well to compete with Australia in Australia. We have to play good cricket."
Misbah said the team had responded well to replacement captain Mohammad Yousuf who, according to him, commands respect by virtue of his seniority and standing as leading run-scorer.
