Pakistan cricket great Mohammad Yousuf has explained his comments on India’s historic Test series win in Australia on Friday (January 11), saying he was not trying to devalue their achievement, but at the same time, the fact is that Pakistan can also beat the current Aussies set-up at this stage.
Recently, former Pakistan captain said that he was not really surprised with Virat Kohli and his team’s latest exploit in Australia, whom they thrashed out in the four-match Down Unde and became first Asian side to have won a Test series on the Kangaroos soil.
Yousuf reckoned that even Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan team could have beaten Australia in a Test series at this stage, as they are currently badly struggling to return to their form.
He also said that India’s 2-1 historic series win came over a weakened Australian side, and if Pakistan toured Australia now, they would also have good chances of winning a Test series there.
On Friday, Yousuf clarified his comment by saying that India’s achievement is big and Kohli and Co. have shown their great game in Australia, but the fact is also that Pakistan have beaten the Kangaroos in UAE last year and they would also have great chances to beat them even at their own backyard this time.
Yousuf told Press Trust of India, “What the Indians have achieved is big and they played well to win the series but it is also a fact that when Pakistan beat Australia one nil in UAE last Sept-Oct, I was not surprised at all. Such is the strength of this Australian side.”
While praising current Indian set-up, the Pakistan batting great added, “I think India and Pakistan compared to Australia are very good sides. India, in particular, has quality batsmen and their bowlers have also learned the art of bowling in Test cricket.”
Meanwhile, former International also admitted that Australia has been struggling to win matches for the last two years, especially with the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner in the line-up.
Yousuf signed off by saying, “The Australians are struggling at the moment. Their batting is not showing quality and because of this their bowlers have also struggled badly.”
(With PTI Inputs)
