Dubai: There will be a lot at stake for both Australia and Pakistan as they lock horns in the first of two-Test series at the Dubai International Stadium from Wednesday.
Australia can reclaim their top spot in International Cricket Counci (ICC) Test Team rankings if they can record a 2-0 sweep while for Pakistan it will be a huge boost, especially in the light of not being able to stage international cricket in front of their home crowd. The fact that Pakistan, despite having to play all their matches abroad, is still placed sixth on Test Team rankings — at par with their arch rivals India on points (96) — is creditable and a 2-0 sweep can even lift their team to the third place.
Both teams will be looking forward to their captains to fire and inspire them to victory but Australian skipper Michael Clarke and his counterpart, Misbah-Ul Haq, are in search for runs. Clarke, back after a five-week layoff due to an injury, and Misbah, struggling for form, are under pressure to perform. Both have abundance of experience but all depends on how they can tackle the challenge in the present situation.
It is important for these captains to strike form because both the teams are made up of many youngsters and they need their captains to lead from the front. The weapons that both the teams are planning to use to win matches are similar. In fact, both the captains are unanimous over the fact that spin and reverse swing may play a big role and hence it all depends on how well the captains use their bowlers effectively.
In the absence of Pakistan’s ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been banned from bowling owing to suspect action, the Australian spin department is on par with Pakistan. Pakistan’s best pacers like Umar Gul, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz are also missing and that makes Australian pace attack stronger on paper. The fact that Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson is in superb form can put pressure on Pakistan batsmen. If Pakistan’s young pacers, who all can bowl reverse swing, can deliver then it will a close battle.
A lot will depend on Pakistan batsmen’s ability to bat confidently. In the One-day series, except for a few, none of their batsmen showed the willingness to stay at the wicket. Unlike in One-day cricket, Test format demands that batsmen need to show readiness to bat patiently and build their innings.
Before the start of the tour, the talk was on Pakistan’s familiarity with the conditions here, which many assumed will give them the upper hand. After Australia won the one-off Twenty 20 match as well as One day series, it has been proved that Pakistan’s familiarity with conditions need not necessarily bring victories. The need of the hour is confidence and ability to delivery their skills in the next five days.
Pakistan may draw confidence from the fact that in the UAE, they have lost only four and won eight of the 17 Tests they have played against different countries. Australia, on the other hand, will draw confidence from the fact that out of the 57 matches against Pakistan they have lost only 12 times and won 28 Test matches.
