ISLAMABAD: An optimistic Pakistani batter Saud Shakeel on Thursday vowed the green shirts would ensure a “complete turnaround” in their performance against Australia in the Boxing Day Melbourne Test match.
Pakistan will face Australia in Melbourne for the second Test of the three-match series on Boxing Day. The visitors, who have never won a Test series in Australia, lost the opening match in Perth by 360 runs.
Speaking to reporters after a practice session in Melbourne, Shakeel said the pitch seemed as if “it’s not that hard to bat on.”
“I’m really looking forward to this Test match. The boys are feeling good; it was a very healthy practice session and the players look in good nick,” Shakeel said.
“I think you’ll get the chance to see a complete turnaround, especially in this Melbourne Test.”
Shakeel conceded Pakistan made mistakes on the first day of the Perth Test when Australia batted first, adding that the Pakistani bowlers did not hit the right lengths when it was seaming quite well.
“We will try our level best not to repeat mistakes. We did make mistakes in the bowling,” he said.
The left-handed batter said he was aware of Pakistan’s poor record in Australia. Pakistan have lost 15 consecutive Test matches to Australia spanning six series since 1999.
Shakeel, however, considers this an opportunity for Shan Masood’s side.
“No Pakistani side has won a series here, so if we perform well and win the series, as a player, think of how much growth that will afford a player throughout a career,” he said. “So, I just look at it as an opportunity.”
Shakeel, 28, has played only 8 Test matches for Pakistan. However, he has scored 927 runs at an average of 77.25 which includes two centuries (a double hundred) and six half-centuries.
Shakeel realizes he does not have many Test matches under his belt. However, he says it doesn’t matter.
“If you represent Pakistan, it doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced or not; there are always expectations if you play for Pakistan,” he said. “I back myself to perform well.”
