The first Test between Pakistan and Australia, which was the first since 1998 in Pakistan ended in a dull draw in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan batted first and scored 476/4d before bowling the visitors out for 459. After the Australian innings ended, there wasn't much time left in the game to force a result. To ensure a draw, Pakistan's openers batted the entire fifth day. Imam Ul Haq made centuries in both innings of the Test.
The pitch's condition was scrutinised throughout the first Test at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Many fans and experts regarded the first Test as a lifeless affair, with only 14 wickets falling and Australia taking only four.
Many players, including former Pakistan captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi, have called for sporting pitches in the series' final two games in Karachi and Lahore, and another former captain, Salman Butt, has now joined the conversation.
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“Against South Africa, Hasan Ali performed brilliantly (five-wicket hauls in both innings) in Rawalpindi. Was that stadium somewhere else? So I don't understand who is passing what information. Anyone who opens the stat will find out the truth,” said Butt on his official YouTube channel.
“Pindi is a result-oriented pitch. In first-class matches, people complain that matches end here in 2.5 days.”
Butt went on to say that the people in charge of cricket in Pakistan need to be more courageous.
“Please tell me what's wrong with Pakistan pitches. Pitches aren't bad, it's the brains that are rotten. The people who are at the helm of cricketing affairs.. it's their weakness in underestimating themselves that we cannot play. Imam is in the team since 2019. It's 2022 now. You don't have confidence in him?” said Butt.
The former Pakistan captain insisted that the pitches in the remaining two games be more sporting. “I think this is not the right approach. I read somewhere that commentators were requested to not talk about the pitch. I read this on Twitter. I hope that isn't the case,” said Butt.
“You make spinning pitches. You make pitches that assist reverse swing. Make aggressive surfaces. On this surface, there was nothing for anyone.”
