KARACHI: Former Test batsman Bazid Khan on Thursday predicted that Pakistan stand a great chance of making history during the forthcoming tour to Australia where no Asian team have ever won a Test series.

While talking to Dawn in an exclusive interview, Bazid, now a reputed cricket commentator, observed Australia’s struggles against South Africa in their ongoing series Down Under give Pakistan high hopes of winning the Test series for the first time on Australian soil.

“The way Australia have capitulated in two Tests [to lose the series] hasn’t come as a surprise to me. They had been in turmoil long before that when Sri Lanka humiliated them to complete a historic 3-0 sweep,” Bazid said from Islamabad.

“The way Australian batsmen, in particular, have been performing should boost Pakistan’s confidence when they head there after the New Zealand series.

“I don’t remember Pakistan ever travelling to Australia with the home side in complete disarray. One could sense the sombre mood in the Aussie camp at this point. This is totally unlike Australia we had been accustomed to during all our previous tours to that country.”

The 35-year-old Bazid, who hails from the illustrious family that saw both his grandfather Dr Jahangir Khan and father the legendary Majid Khan play Test cricket for India and Pakistan respectively, doesn’t rule out Misbah-ul-Haq’s side defeating Australia in the three-match series which begins on Dec 16 with the day-night fixture in Brisbane.

“Luck usually deserted us on the past trips to Australia when the home side boasted of world-class players. Guys like Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath etc made life tough for Pakistan batsmen with adequate backup pacers,” Bazid pointed out.

“And then during the 1990s, Shane Warne came along to torment Pakistan. The pitches in Australia also played on the minds of our cricketers. Not many Pakistan batsmen were at home on those bouncy tracks against top-class bowling.

“But now the balance has significantly shifted and that is something Pakistan shouldn’t fear at all.

“Playing under lights in the series opener at the Gabba will be challenge for both teams, no doubt. But it may even work in Pakistan’s favour because under lights the ball does seam around and may help our fast bowlers.

“On the other hand, Australia’s bowling apart from Mitchell Starc, and to some extent Josh Hazlewood, has been found wanting as we have all seen in the South Africa series.

“Steven Smith as the captain has already given an impression of being frustrated at the constant lack of runs from most of his batsmen, although David Warner remains a major threat with his destructive approach. By its own admission, the Aussie think-tank has guaranteed only four players places for the final Test [against South Africa],” Bazid underlined.

“As I see it, Australian batting has been struggling for a couple of years now. And if Pakistan can emulate the South African batting then Australia’s problems would multiply further,” Bazid added. “Yasir Shah holds the key and remains a big threat for Australia, especially in Sydney where spinners often benefit a lot. Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir should do well in conditions suited for seam and bounce [Brisbane and Melbourne, the venues for the first two Tests]. It’s a now or never situation that Pakistan will face.”

Despite Pakistan losing the final Test of the recent series against the West Indies in the UAE, Bazid praised head coach Mickey Arthur for instilling confidence in the squad.

“I think Arthur was very honest when he spoke of the boys being jaded after non-stop cricket since start of the England tour. It did look as if Pakistan lacked intensity in Sharjah,” he said.

“However, that shouldn’t be used as an excuse. Still, I maintain Pakistan were a far better Test side than the West Indies and should have been ruthless as they were in both the T20 and ODI series against the West Indies.”

Commenting on the New Zealand Tests, Bazid stressed the trend of home side holding advantage does matter.

“Every team these days play well at home and New Zealand will be no different, but currently they aren’t at their best. Their batting doesn’t look too strong and even their swing bowlers aren’t in top form.”

The soft-spoken Bazid, who quit playing cricket at the relatively young age of 31 to take up commentory, singled out the seasoned pair of Misbah and Younis Khan as the men who will matter most in the coming weeks.

“The presence of these stalwarts gives Pakistan a huge advantage. The batting unit revolves around them and they also make the team fight all the time.”

Bazid, however, added: “But I must say slip catching is a major concern for Pakistan because you can’t afford to give [New Zealand captain] Kane Williamson, Smith or Warner an opportunity to cash in if they give early chance to get rid of them.”

In the end, Bazid admitted that he enjoyed playing more than commentating.

“Playing will always remain the best part. Commentary is brilliant because one is still involved in the game. Also you interact with greats of the game — players and officials — you learn all the time. It’s a very fulfilling experience.”

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2016