Reverse swing is as big a threat as quality spin bowling, the Australians conceded after losing their only warm-up match against Pakistan ‘A’ by a whopping 153-runs in Sharjah on Saturday.
Australia, chasing 339 to win were bowled out for 185 in their second innings with paceman Mohammad Talha (3-32) and left-arm spinner Raza Hasan (3-60) destroying Australia’s plans for some useful practice.
Pakistan ‘A’ had made 305-8 declared and 306-3 declared in their two innings. Australia had made 273-8 declared in their first knock.
“Going forward we’re going to know spin is going to play a big part as well as reverse swing,” Phil Hughes, who was the top scorer for Australia with 65, said after the match.
“It was probably what got me out. When the quicks came back on for their second spells, that’s when it started reversing.
“That’s probably the toughest challenge for the middle-order batsmen.
“When you’re batting out there it slowly, gradually starts reversing. Unfortunately today personally I didn’t go on and get that big one, which I should have,” he added.
Hughes promised a different showing in the Tests.
“It’s good to see them going out there and performing well,” said Hughes of Pakistan ‘A.’
“But it’s going to be a different story and a different pressure in a Test match.”
Pakistan ‘A’ captain Asad Shafiq said the win did not mean much but would give his side confidence going into the first Test..
“I don’t think this win means much as it was just a practice game,” said Shafiq who scored a hundred in the first innings.
“But surely this win gives confidence to some of our players who will play in the Test,” said Shafiq, a regular member of Pakistan’s Test squad.
