SHARJAH (UAE), Oct 9: World champions Australia arrived here Wednesday for two Test matches against Pakistan trying to find ways to counter lethal fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
With Shoaib and the stifling heat and humidity playing on their minds, Steve Waugh’s men appeared pensive of what lay ahead despite winning the first Test by 41 runs in Colombo.
Both factors will play a major role in the back-to-back Tests starting Friday in this popular one-day venue which is like a second home for the Pakistani cricketers.
Shoaib, nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, rattled the Australians with eight wickets in the first Test in Colombo — three in six balls in the first innings and five in 15 balls in the second.
The breathtaking spell in the second innings saw the formidable Aussies shot out for 127 in one extended session after being comfortably placed at 61-0.
It was Pakistan’s inexperienced batting that allowed Australia to wriggle out of a tight situation, but Shoaib said Wednesday he was not finished yet.
“I think I will be more effective in Sharjah than I was in Colombo,” the outspoken fast bowler warned.
“It may be hot in Sharjah, but not as humid, which will help me reverse swing the ball more.
“I am used to playing in Sharjah. I feel comfortable here. I can’t wait to get out there and have a go at the Aussies again.”
Its a warning Australian coach John Buchanan will not take lightly.
“By what we saw in Colombo, Shoaib has got to be the most lethal fast bowler in the game,” Buchanan said.
“We have to ensure we keep wickets in hand when he is bowling. It’s that one spell of five or six overs when Shoaib is at his peak.
“If we can get through that period, we will be okay.”
Asked what batsmen had to do to counter him, Shoaib quipped: “They’ve got to be brave, mate.
“I am not going to tell you how they should play me. But I know a batsman has to be brave when he faces me.”
Buchanan said some of his batsmen had faced constant speed of around 150km an hour for the first time, but the lessons had been learnt.
“What we’ve experienced in the first Test will stand us in good stead for the remaining matches,” he said.
“We know what to expect. There were just a few moments in the first Test when we allowed the pressure to ease a bit.”
Buchanan was very concerned about the 40 degrees celcius heat.
“The heat is going to take a lot of out players from both teams. Conditions may suit Pakistan more but we’ve played in Asia a lot and know what to expect.”
Shoaib, meanwhile, was gearing to lift his young colleagues in the absence of four top stars, Wasim Akram, Saaed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.
“I am their inspiration,” he said. “They depend on me to turn the game around. I did it in Colombo, I hope to do it here as well.”—AFP