Pakistan raise spin volume ahead of Afghanistan threat in Chennai

Mohammed Rizwan. (Photo Source: ISHARA S.KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan are currently under pressure, having suffered back-to-back defeats in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup despite making their best of starts to the competition. The Babar Azam-led side now have a task in hand when they take on Afghanistan, a side which has world-class spinners on one of the most spin-friendly tracks, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Pakistan are coming off humiliating defeats against arch-rivals India and five-time champions Australia respectively. Against India in Ahmedabad, the 1992 champions got off to a solid start, but they were 191 all out from three for 115. The conditions were similar against Australia as well, as they were four for 232 and then to 305 all out in Bengaluru.

Given the recent setbacks and Afghanistan‘s strength, Pakistan’s top-order have faced spinners in the nets on the eve of the match. Captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Rizwan, and Saud Shakeel were the batters who were seen facing the likes of Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, and reserve Abrar Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq opened up about how his side is gearing up for the clash against Afghanistan. He also recalled a match in which Pakistan defeated Afghanistan on a spin-friendly pitch.

“Our start was very good in the last two matches. Our run rate was good in the first 20 to 25 overs. And then we suddenly collapsed,” Imam-ul-Haq was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

“Of course, there are good spinners in Afghanistan who can bowl well in the middle overs. But, we have beaten them in Hambantota 3-0 (August 2023). Even there, the conditions were very spin-friendly. So, we will back that and our ability,” he added.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott did not feel that it would be just a battle between spinners and opposition batters.

“The thing is with spinners, there are only two or three of them playing a game. And it’s the other eight as well that have to play the game. Yes, the spinners are important but it’s a team effort. There’s no reliance on just spinners. There are seam bowlers as well who have got to bowl well and in whatever conditions we are confronted with,” the former England international told reporters in Chennai.