Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has admitted that batting remains a subject of worry for him ahead of his team's upcoming tour of Australia this month and key batsmen have to perform consistently to succeed in demanding conditions.
After his team escaped with a draw in the third and final Test against New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday, Yousuf said the failure of the batsmen to perform consistently is something he is looking at seriously.
"Touring Australia is always a tough prospect and our batting needs to be at its best to succeed in those tough conditions," Yousuf said.
Yousuf, who has been retained as skipper for the Test tour of Australia this month by PCB after Younis Khan pulled out owing to his poor form and personal problems, said Pakistani batsmen would have to show lot of character and application to do well in those demanding Australian conditions.
"I am happy that we managed to draw a tough Test series against New Zealand, but the batting is still not playing to its full potential and that remains a problem for our next tour," Yousuf added. He said the pitches in Australia normally have more bounce and pace and batsmen need to apply themselves accordingly and adjust to their techniques.
"That is something we failed to do consistently in New Zealand," he admitted.
Yousuf said he has high hopes from his younger bunch of players to produce results during the Australian tour. He also expressed confidence that with the appointment of Waqar Younis as bowling and fielding coach would benefit the team a lot.
"Waqar is an experienced and seasoned player and he lives in Australia, so his input and advice would certainly be of great help to our players, particularly the bowlers," Yousuf stated.
Pakistan recall 'rebel' Sami for Oz tour
Pakistan have recalled fast bowler Mohammad Sami for their tour of Australia starting this week.
Sami, 28, played the last of his 33 Tests and 83 One-Day Internationals in 2007 before joining the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL).
"He has to submit a clearance from the ICL that he is no longer affiliated with them after which he will be sent to Australia to join the team," a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman said.
"I have asked the ICL for the clearance but they still have to clear my outstanding dues as yet and that needs to be sorted out," Sami told Reuters.
Sami would be the sixth player from the ICL to return to the Pakistan national team after Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Rana Naved and Imran Farhat.
Pakistan have four fast bowlers in their squad in New Zealand from where they fly to Australia to play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 match.
The first Test starts on Boxing Day in Melbourne.
