Desk. Pakistan registered a 4-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI, clinching the three-match series 2-1. The entire series turned out to be low-scoring, with both teams’ batters finding it difficult to score freely due to the sluggish nature of the pitches. Throughout the three matches, not a single player from either side managed to score a century. Following the conclusion of the series, reporters questioned Pakistan’s captain Shaheen Afridi about the pitch conditions. Here’s what he had to say in response.
Addressing the media, Shaheen Afridi explained that there are still 15 months left before the World Cup. He remarked that every team around the world prepares pitches as per its own strengths and strategies to enhance its chances of winning. He further pointed out that before the World Cup, Pakistan will play Test series in the West Indies and England, where many of their players will get valuable match practice, helping them gear up for the global tournament. Afridi recalled, “When we toured Australia under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy, we encountered green and fast-bouncy pitches, yet we managed to win that series. Hence, when the Australian team comes here, we cannot offer them similar green wickets, as our goal is also to win matches on our home soil.”
The pitch used during the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia became a major talking point. The Pakistan team management intentionally prepared spin-friendly surfaces in Rawalpindi and Lahore to exploit the visiting side’s weakness, especially since the Australian squad was missing several of its key players.
Pakistan sealed the series 2-1 after winning the final low-scoring match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Thursday. However, this triumph has sparked debate within the country. Critics are questioning whether such victories on slow pitches will genuinely help the team prepare for next year’s ODI World Cup. The concern arises because the 2027 ODI World Cup will be hosted in South Africa, where the conditions traditionally favour fast bowlers.
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