Pakistan’s Director of Cricket Mohammad Hafeez was a pissed off determine whereas sharing his views on the pitch used for the crew’s four-day apply match in opposition to Australia’s Prime Minister XI final week. The match, which led to a draw, was performed on the Manuka Oval in Canberra from December 6-9, forward of the three-match sequence between Australia and Pakistan, beginning December 14. Hafeez criticised the pitch and circumstances laid out for Pakistan’s warm-up sport in Canberra, saying that it was the “slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on” Down Under.

“That was the slowest pitch a visiting team could ever play on in Australia. As a team we are really happy with our preparations because we ticked most of the boxes,” Hafeez was quoted as saying ESPNcricinfo throughout Pakistan’s coaching session on the WACA Stadium in Perth.

Hafeez mentioned whereas they weren’t anticipating the circumstances on provide in Canberra, the Pakistan crew is prepared for the upcoming problem.

“The disappointment was really high because we weren’t expecting these kinds of arrangements. Maybe it’s tactical but we’re ready for it. We’re not using it as an excuse, we’re absolutely ready for the challenges coming up,” he added.

On being requested to share his views on Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain, Shan Masood, Hafeez mentioned that the southpaw has all of the qualities to turn into a frontrunner.

“For me, seeing Shan become captain is no surprise. He was always ready for this role, and when you get this sort of opportunity, it shines. He’s a superb player, and as a leader, he’s got a great rapport with the players and a great relationship with the whole team. His experience as a captain and what he’s learned over the years – especially the couple of years he’s played county cricket – have all seen his management skills have come to the fore even more. What’s important is this is a confident unit that’s here and Shan is playing his role very well,” Hafeez defined.

Notably, Shan scored an unbeaten 201 within the first innings of the apply match, whereas remainder of his teammates did not even cross the 50-run mark.

The first Test might be performed on the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi