By Imran
December 12 2004

Imran's preview of the forthcoming Australia versus Pakistan test series. With the home team overwhelming favourites, Imran looks at what Pakistan need to do to compete with the worlds best team. The wait is almost over and one of the most eagerly awaited series, for me anyway, is about to start. This time things appear to be different, Pakistan chose a fairly predictable squad and arrived in Australia a few days earlier, however the preparation hasn’t gone as planned with the team suffering 2 humiliating defeats. They chose their likely starting XI to play Western Australia and did not even last 3 days, if any of the players underestimated how hard the tour was going to be they have just been given a huge wake up call. Things can’t get any worse apart from a 3-0 series defeat, which appears to be the likely outcome. The team have been written off before the first ball has been bowled and calls for certain players to be axed have already started. The pressure is now off the players as no one expects them to win, however the players will be playing for their future in the Pakistani team, a string of failures with the bat or ball could mean a wholesale clearance in January.

Before the series started I backed the team to give Australia a few surprises, and I still maintain that they can beat Australia or at the very least walk away with a 1-1 series draw. Although the team lacks experience there is enough talent and skill to compete with Australia. If the players follow the game plan, work hard, show commitment, resilience and take their chances the possibility of causing Australia a few problems is there. I expect the coach Bob Woolmer to have everyone in the nets working hard up until the start of the First Test, they will have to ignore what has happened on tour so far and the series begins 0-0 on Thursday.

Pakistan’s batting has failed to live up to expectations on this tour, and without a good start the team will struggle. Therefore it is vital that the top 3 build a platform for the rest of the team to build on. Imran Farhat will be under extreme pressure, a few low scores could see him return to the sidelines and will give Taufeeq Umer hope of a return. This tour is going to be a real test of character for the batsmen, and at the end of it we shall find out who has the mental strength to cut it at the top level.

The bowling is going to have to be sharp with the back-up bowlers supporting Shoaib Akhtar. It is also make or break time for Mohammed Sami; a poor series will almost definitely see him lose his place in the side, with Mohammed Khalil and Mohammed Asif waiting for a chance to show what they are capable of. Abdul Razzaq doesn’t have the pace therefore will have to get his line and length exactly right, otherwise he will be despatched around the ground by the Australian batsmen. At this level the team cannot afford to offer free gifts to their opponents in the shape of no balls and wides, this problem has been around for a while and I hope they get it right on Thursday. If the bowlers stick to the basics there is no reason why they cannot cause Australia problems, but then again it is a big ‘if’.

Pakistan cannot afford to drop any catches, the fielding is going to have to be sharp and Inzamam-ul-Haq will have to get the fielding positions exactly right – this will be a big test of his captaincy.

Bob Woolmer is likely to keep faith with the same XI that lost to Western Australia, I just hope the players don’t let themselves down and live up to expectations. This is a huge series, and if the players are successful the rewards will be huge. Some of the youngsters have a chance to cement their place in the side and turn themselves into superstars overnight.

Australia has a selection dilemma, how will they accommodate Brett Lee in the starting XI? There has been talk of dropping Michael Kasprowicz, Shane Warne or even a batsman to fit him in, so it will be interesting to see what they will do. However it not be a surprise if Australia went it with an unchanged bowling line-up for the 6th successive game, this speaks volumes on how fit their players are and able to keep up with a hectic schedule.

Australia are clear favourites when the First Test starts on Thursday, if Pakistan manage to come out of the first session relatively unscathed then their maybe hope for them, otherwise it could be one way traffic and the tone for the rest of the series will be set.

Australia (from): Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee.

Pakistan (probable): Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria.

I have resisted the temptation to criticise the team – but will deliver my verdict after the conclusion of the First Test.