''We were handicapped by the lack of resources''- PCB chairman Ramiz Raja explains the reasons behind a 'dead' Rawalpindi pitch
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has admitted that the pitch used in Rawalpindi for the opening match against Australia was not a good advertisement for Test cricket.
The former captain, and commentator, also proceeded to explain the reasoning behind the PCB rolling out a dead pitch for the much-anticipated opener of Australia's historic trip to the Asian country.
According to Raja, the PCB will be relaying pitches across the country following the culmination of the current season, something they couldn't do earlier as he only assumed office mid-season. Raja was appointed PCB chief in September 2021.
Raja said that while he understands the sentiments of cricket fans, he asserted that a dead pitch in Rawalpindi was a result of the home side being without their two seamers Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf, an inexperienced opening pair with the bat, and the absence of leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
In a video published on PCB's Twitter handle, Raja said:
"A drawn Test match like the one in Rawalpindi is never a good advertisement for Test cricket. When I assumed the position of PCB chairman, there was a lot of talk in the media regarding my comments on the need to massively redo the pitches in Pakistan. But when I came in September, the season had already started and one normally needs 5-6 months to prepare a pitch. After the culmination of the current season, we will be relaying close to 60 pitches in the country with the help of specially imported soil from Australia and our own indigenous soil, which we have prepared in consultation with soil experts."
Earlier, Australian skipper Pat Cummins claimed that Pakistan had prepared a dead pitch to nullify their pace attack. Raja more or less admitted the same, saying "we can't go and sit in Australia's lap by preparing fast, bouncy pitches".
"While I do the understand the disappointment of fans, we need to keep in mind that it's a three-match series. There is a lot of cricket still to be played and just for the heck of it, we cannot go and sit in Australia's lap by preparing a fast bouncy pitch.
"It's important to play to our strength. We were handicapped by the lack of resources because our opening ball pair got disturbed following injuries to Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf. Plus we had a brand new opening pair and Abdullah Shafique's form was worrisome. Imam-ul-Haq was making a comeback. So, when your batting and bowling pair is disturbed and raw, you take your chances accordingly. Plus we did not have a ready-made leg-spinner as Yasir Shah is unfit. We had an under-cooked 15 and Australia, don't forget, are a powerhouse and are coming off an Ashes win. We respect their talent and given our strength, we couldn't afford to go into experimental mode," he added.
PCB Chairman reflects on the Rawalpindi Test and reiterates his plans on pitches for domestic and international matches in the country
#PAKvAUS l #BoysReadyHain https://t.co/OuD7wDvJw1
The first Test match of the much-anticipated series proved to be a complete anti-climax as just 14 wickets fell across five days at a cost of 1187 runs.
'Don't jump the gun, there is still a lot of cricket remaining'- Ramiz Raja
Pakistan's opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq and former skipper Azhar Ali feasted on the dead pitch. The duo racked up consecutive 100+ stands, including an unbeaten 252-run partnership in the 3rd innings.
Raja said this was a massive confidence-booster for the home side. He also hailed Nauman Ali for claiming six wickets on a lifeless surface.
" ...I believe that Pakistan have gained a not of confidence from their performance. Batting has shone while a spinner (Nauman Ali) has taken six wickets. Fans need to understand that while we will try our best to make result-oriented pitches, it's not easy to change the nature of the surfaces just like that," he said.
Raja signed off by stating that Pakistan will prepare tracks which will give them the best possible chance to beat Australia. He further urged fans and pundits not to "jump the gun" as there is still a lot of cricket to be played in this series.
"We have to prepare the pitches, keeping in mind our reverse-swing, spin a bounce. I will reiterate again that it wasn't a great advertisement for Test cricket but there is still a lot of cricket left in the series. So, don't jump the gun, there is still a lot of cricket remaining," signed off Raja.
I find it amusing when Test matches get over inside 4 days yet teams lose WTC points for overrate. The biggest threat to test cricket is not overrate. Tests rarely go to day 5 anyway nowadays. The biggest threat to test cricket are dead pitches. Dead pitch = Dead game. #PAKvAUS
The second Test of the three-match series will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi from March 12.