In a revealing interview, Hasan Ali, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s cricketing realm, unveiled an intriguing tactical adjustment Pakistan’s squad plans to implement for the forthcoming Australian tour. Hasan addressed a significant alteration in their team strategy, particularly regarding the language used during discussions and planning.
The crux of this alteration lies in a rather unexpected revelation: the avoidance of discussing on-field strategies in Urdu when Usman Khawaja, a Pakistani-born Australian cricketer, is within earshot. This decision stems from an incident during the last Benaud-Qadir Trophy, where it was believed that Usman, who is well-versed in Urdu, inadvertently divulged Pakistani strategies to the Australian team during their Karachi encounter.
“Usman bhai is familiar with Urdu,” Hasan explained, “but after a scenario where our strategies were seemingly shared with the Australian team, we’ve grown more cautious. To maintain the confidentiality of our plans, we’ve decided to abstain from discussing them in Urdu when he’s around. We’ll make sure to strategize a bit farther away to safeguard our game plans.”
Shifting focus to the challenges awaiting them in Australia, Hasan emphasized the demanding nature of the bouncy pitches, known to provide an extra bounce that poses a significant challenge for visiting teams, especially those from South Asia.
“The conditions in Australia are quite challenging,” Hasan acknowledged. “Securing 20 wickets on Australian tours is tough, not just for Pakistan but for all South Asian teams. The pitches here are distinctive, and the local players’ familiarity adds to the complexity for visiting sides.”
Praising Australian captain Pat Cummins, Hasan commended Cummins’ prowess as the standout bowler in the current Australian squad. Drawing parallels between Cummins and Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, Hasan acknowledged their shared skill in handling new and semi-new balls.
Reflecting on past experiences, Hasan shared insights into the warm reception received by Pakistan from Australian cricket enthusiasts during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, highlighting the prevalent support for the Pakistani team, barring the India match.
Amidst the anticipation surrounding the Australia vs. Pakistan series, Hasan expressed optimism about the cricketing spectacle attracting enthusiastic crowds, especially on Boxing Day, where cricketing luminaries like Steve Smith, David Warner, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam are set to showcase their talent, fostering a spirit of cricketing excellence.
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