With the first Test match between Australia and Pakistan scheduled to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 21; one question is on the mind of the visitors- how to dismiss Steve Smith.
The right-handed batsman is on fire ever since returning to Test cricket after serving his one-year ban for ball-tampering. He slammed 774 runs in four Tests against England in the 2019 Ashes with one double ton and three centuries to his name and helped Australia retain the Ashes.
Though Pakistani team will be fielding a pretty young fast bowling attack with 16-year-old Naseem Shah set for his Test debut along with 19-year-olds Shaheen Shah Afridi and Muhammad Musa Khan for the company and to help them out, legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has given them some advice on how to tackle Steve Smith.
AUS v PAK 2019: Steve Smith looks to acclimatize to quick track at Gabba before Pakistan Test
“I played against the greats of the game ... but Smithy’s very, very different. Sometimes he stands outside off stump, sometimes he stands middle, sometimes leg stump. Concentrate on what you want, don’t follow his stance, his movement and go for your plans, not his,” the great fast bowler said.
Steve Smith is the no.1 ranked Test batsman and the biggest thorn in the way of Pakistan. They have lost their 12 previous Test matches down under and if they are looking to win come November 21, they need to get rid of him quickly.
Meanwhile, head coach and chief selector Misbah-Ul-Haq was quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “As far as Steve Smith goes, there’s a blind spot for every top batsman in the world; as a bowler, you’re always interested in pitching the ball there. t’s important that we bowl with consistency there. Our bowlers are executing the plans very well right now, and hopefully, we’ll be able to build that kind of pressure, and stay disciplined especially early in the innings.”
“It’s about consistency, and top players in the world, if you miss those areas, that special length, and line, then they are good enough to just cash in on that. So, you have to be very, very disciplined, just keep the ball there, and if it’s happening you are already in the game,” he added.
(nine.com.au inputs)
