Pakistan team management asked to curate dead pitch for first Australia Test

Pakistan men's team management had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make a dead pitch for the first Test against Australia at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The Test series opener of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy ended in a draw where more than 1100 runs were scored while only 14 wickets fell across five days.

According to sources, the home side's think tank including head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and skipper Babar Azam requested PCB to make a slow pitch in contrast to what Pindi Stadium's pitch generally offers.

Due to having young openers, inexperienced pacers and viewing the quality Aussie pace attack, the team management had a fear of loss and didn't want a sporting track for the first Test.

Last year, Pakistan claimed a 95-run win over South Africa at the same venue. Hasan Ali bagged 10 wickets, Anrich Nortje and spinner George Linde took fifers while Aiden Markram and Mohammad Rizwan scored centuries but the track curated for the first Australia Test has made everyone wonder what has happened as bowlers toiled hard for five days while batters had the luxury to score runs freely.

Meanwhile, team management has gained the confidence of suggesting a spin track at Karachi's National Stadium after Nauman Ali bagged six wickets in the first innings of the Test series opener.

According to sources, Pakistan does not have expert pitch curators currently who can make a pitch as per demands, however, NSK's pitch has traditionally supported spinners and it is highly expected that a slow track will be prepared for the second Test.

It must be noted that both sides have arrived in Karachi yesterday and will start training from today. The second Test will start on March 12