KARACHI: Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam on Wednesday gave a big thumbs up to two ‘picture-perfect’ venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hoping that the playing conditions including the pitches there will help host a successful series against Australia from April 22 to May 7. Intikhab, who visited the two venues, told Arab News on his return from Dubai that the wickets at both venues seem to be in excellent shape and will help produce high-quality games.
But he made it clear the tracks have been prepared in a way that they assist Pakistan.
“The wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been prepared keeping in mind our own strengths,” said the former Pakistan captain, who is hoping that his team will come out with a solid show against the Aussies. “We want to retain some kind of home advantage,” he stressed. Cricket pitches in Pakistan are normally low and slow where teams like Australia and South Africa — who have top-class fast bowlers — are unable to make full use of their pace bowlers.
There are clear indications that the wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will also offer similar strips.
Intikhab, however, was quick to add that the wickets at Dubai Sports City’s cricket stadium and Abu Dhabi Zayed cricket stadium will be perfect for one-day cricket. “We expect them to be batting wickets but sporting ones that are suitable for one-day cricket,” he said. “We saw a few local matches being played on those wickets and they look very good,” he said adding that heavy rains in UAE in recent days haven’t hampered pitch preparations. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sent special soil for the pitches made at the Dubai Sports City Stadium that will host the first two one-day games on April 22 and 24 and later the only Twenty20 International on May 7.
“The overall conditions there are excellent,” he said. “The Dubai stadium can be compared with the best sports facilities in the world.”
Intikhab, who played 47 Tests for Pakistan, said that Australia, who will be landing in Dubai on April 17 after having extensively played on bouncy tracks at home and in South Africa, might face some problems adjusting to the conditions in UAE.
“The pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will not be as much bouncy and it will be interesting how the Australians adjust to the conditions there,” said the coach.
Intikhab, 67, said that Australia will remain a very strong team even in the absence of a few star players, who have been rested.
“The Australians are very professional and they have enough bench strength to overcome the absence of any player,” he said. The Aussies have rested their captain Ricky Ponting, prolific batsman Mike Hussey and in-form pacer Mitchell Johnson for the series. However, they have recalled all-rounder Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and speedster Brett Lee.
Pakistan have also recalled controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar after he cleared a series of extensive fitness tests last week.
“A fit Shoaib Akhtar is a great addition to our team,” said Intikhab. “He adds more firepower to our bowling attack and I’m happy that he is back,” he added.
The series is likely to be played in front of packed crowds as both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have big populations of Pakistanis.
