'They gave us a green wicket in Australia': Shaheen Afridi defends Pakistan's spin pitches after PAK vs AUS ODI series win
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'They gave us a green wicket in Australia': Shaheen Afridi defends Pakistan's spin pitches after PAK vs AUS ODI series win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Pakistan won their third consecutive ODI series at home against Australia.
- Shaheen Afridi defended spin-friendly pitches, citing Australia's green tracks.
- Pakistan chased down 158 in 41.5 overs to win the third ODI of the series by 4 wickets.
Shaheen Afridi hits back over spin pitch debate after Pakistan's ODI series win vs Australia
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi defended the rank turners belted out by Pakistan against Australia after clinching the series by a 2-1 margin in Lahore on Thursday.
Australia were bundled out for 157 in 42 overs after a steady start. Josh Inglis was the one bright spot, top-scoring with 65 off 71 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, but his effort received very little support.
Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey both managed 19 apiece, while the rest of the batting order fell away against a disciplined Pakistani attack.
Shaheen led from the front with three wickets for 30 runs from eight overs. Leg-spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan shared four wickets between them, and Haris Rauf chipped in with one more to leave Australia well short of a competitive total.
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Shaheen Afridi fires back on the pitch debate
There has been enough controversy about the dusty pitches being laid out for Australia, but Afridi was having none of it.
"I think Australia played eight batsmen today. They struggled more than us, and those players were playing who play well against spin as well as fast bowling, he said.
"When we went to their country under Rizwan's captaincy, we won the series there as well. We won in their green conditions, on bouncy wickets. Because they thought we came from Asia, from Pakistan, so they would give us green wickets.
"If they have come to us, obviously, you cannot give them green wickets. We also have to win the match. Their best playing XI was also playing, the one they have been playing for a very long time."
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On suggestions that such pitches could hamper Pakistan's own preparation ahead of the next World Cup, Shaheen dismissed the concern and insisted that they still have time on their side.
"I think there are 14-15 months left for the World Cup. And whenever any country plays in its own conditions, it prepares its own pitches. We also know that we have a Test series coming up after this and some players will be in it," he added.
"So I think they can improve their preparation further in that. When you play against such teams, you have to prepare your pitches. Obviously, you have to win the series as well. They were difficult pitches.
"I think when other conditions are in our favor, we will definitely make such pitches as well. But right now we have time, and as the time gets closer, we will prepare for those pitches as well."
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The Cricket News Opinion: Home advantage is not unique to Pakistan
There is something slightly selective about the outrage directed at Pakistan for preparing spin-friendly surfaces. Every major cricket nation shapes its pitches to suit its strengths.
When teams travel to England, they find moisture, which helps the swing bowlers. In Australia, the wickets are hard and offer bounce, while in India, they find typical sub-continental pitches that offer turn.
What Pakistan have done here is no different. In fact, they went to Australia and won in conditions heavily stacked against them. Hence, Shaheen's response was justified and fair.
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