Pakistan will hope Shaheen Afridi can bowl himself back into form and his batting team mates can rebuild confidence in a two-day tour match before trying to save the Test series against Australia in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Shan Masood’s team were trounced by 360 runs in the opener in Perth on Sunday, falling to a 15 Test defeat in succession on Australian soil.<\/p>\n
While the home side will enjoy an extended break and light preparations before the traditional ‘Boxing Day’ test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pakistan will strive to build momentum in a practice match against a Victorian XI from Friday.<\/p>\n
The hastily-arranged contest was not part of the original schedule, nor will it have first class status, but Pakistan need extra time out in the middle, coach Mohammad Hafeez said.<\/p>\n
Down on pace and managing only two wickets in Perth, spearhead Afridi was upstaged by debutant seamers Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal, who had 12 dismissals between them.<\/p>\n
On a treacherous pitch, Pakistan’s batsmen finished off a forgettable Test by being skittled for 89 in their second innings.<\/p>\n
“Well, we couldn’t execute our skills well,” said coach Mohammad Hafeez.<\/p>\n
“We made plans for the team, but unfortunately we couldn’t execute them well. That’s not an excuse.<\/p>\n
“The guys wanted to, but they never applied themselves, to be very honest.”<\/p>\n
Pakistan will hope the pitch at the Junction Oval will be similar to the one presented at the MCG, having played their first tour match on a tepid deck in Canberra — hardly the best preparation for Perth’s fast and bouncy wicket.<\/p>\n
They are expected to face several Australians with Test experience, including Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb, opener Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski.<\/p>\n
Pakistan selectors may be grateful to have a specialist spinner available, with none fit for the Perth Test. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali is back in the mix after recovering from a cut finger.<\/p>\n
Without bigger contributions from their senior players — Masood and Babar Azam among them — Pakistan may struggle to prevent the losing streak from stretching to 16 in Melbourne, for all of Hafeez’s fighting words.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen during the preparation the amount of talent these guys have,” said the coach.<\/p>\n
“There is no doubt they can beat Australia here in Australia.” <\/p>\n