Pakistan’s cricket team is facing tough times, struggling in both limited-overs and Test formats since the 2022 T20 World Cup final. Recently, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali shared an interesting incident involving Shan Masood, the Pakistan captain, and Jason Gillespie, the team’s red-ball coach.
According to Basit, Masood requested a flat pitch for the upcoming Test series against England, but Gillespie promptly dismissed the idea, telling the batters to “shut up.”
Pakistan’s Struggles and Masood’s Request
Pakistan’s recent Test series against Bangladesh highlighted their weaknesses. Despite promising starts, their batters couldn’t capitalize, and their bowlers failed to build on early breakthroughs, leading to a 0-2 defeat.
With an upcoming series against England, Masood reportedly approached Gillespie, asking for the pitch to be modified to a flat one by removing the grass. This, he hoped, would make it easier for Pakistan’s batsmen to handle England’s bowlers. However, Gillespie, along with the pitch curator, stood firm, insisting the pitch remain unchanged, believing a grassy surface would be more competitive.
Joe Root’s Perspective on Playing in Pakistan
As England prepares to face Pakistan in the upcoming series, Joe Root acknowledged the challenge of playing in Pakistan’s home conditions. England dominated Pakistan 3-0 on their last visit, but Root emphasized that the new series would bring different challenges.
Despite learning valuable lessons from their previous encounters, Root stated that both teams are looking for an edge, especially as neither is in contention for the World Test Championship. He also mentioned the presence of young players eager to prove themselves on both sides, making the series an intriguing contest.
While Pakistan hopes to use home conditions to their advantage, England aims to repeat its past success. The exchange between Masood and Gillespie adds a layer of drama to the buildup, showcasing the contrasting strategies within the Pakistan camp as they try to regain form.
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