Preparing wicket is home team's choice, says Mohammad Yousuf

Pakistan's batting coach Mohammad Yousuf has backed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja's statement on pitches and opined that every home side prepares the wickets according to their team's strengths.

The Pindi Cricket Stadium's pitch has received immense criticism and was also rated as 'Below average' by ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.

"I think you have to look at the strengths of your side, if you go to Australia, you'll never get the wicket of your choice," he said in a virtual presser prior to the second Test, which starts from March 12 at National Stadium Karachi. 

"We have kept in view what benefits our players and how can we dominate the teams. There were a total of 15 sessions, we dominated in 12 of those. We have to play according to our strengths," he added.

"In the past our players have done well overseas. Inshallah we will give these players confidence, keep on having a word with them and discussions, they will do well overseas. Everytime, we have seen such wickets in Pakistan. We have to look at our strengths as a side," he added.

"If you see Australia when they toured India in recent times, they have been thrashed. Obviously, when you are playing away from home, you have to play at a different surface. Some people can do that but most teams struggle. But we will try to keep the confidence levels of our boys and try to do things that if they go into another country, they can perform well."

Yousuf was satisfied with his players' performance with the bat in the first Test. Abdullah Shafique, scored his maiden Test hundred in his third Test, whereas Imam-ul-Haq, made centuries in both innings of the match in his comeback to the Test side after almost two years.

"I think the way our batsmen performed, I am very satisfied. It was Abdullah Shafique's third Test match and Imam-ul-Haq was making a comeback. Both of them were outstanding and they created history by giving such partnerships at the top. Overall, it was a great performance."

Yousuf also praised Azhar Ali's fighting spirit and temperament after the Aussie pacers constantly tested him with fierce bouncers, still he went on to score 185.

"The way Azhar Ali showed his experience, the management expects such performances from a player like him," he said. "Australia bowled a lot of bouncers at him but the way he showed his mettle and stuck around in the middle. He kept on leaving the ball, this shows the experience that he has played a lot of Test cricket, which also gave team the benefit too," he maintained.