by: TN Media News Pakistan:
Pakistan batsman Saud Shakeel has urged his team to adopt a more attacking approach and exploit the potentially batsman-friendly Melbourne pitch, following the news of pace bowler Khurram Shahzad’s injury-enforced absence from the remaining Tests against Australia.
Shahzad was ruled out due to a stress fracture and abdominal tear, leaving a void in Pakistan’s bowling attack. However, Shakeel expressed confidence in alternatives like Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali, highlighting their wicket-taking abilities.
Reflecting on the challenging batting conditions faced in Perth, Shakeel emphasized the need for a proactive mindset. “We just need to be more positive with our batting approach and play some attacking shots,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the Melbourne Test, Shakeel expressed optimism about the pitch, contrasting it with the bouncy Perth surface. “The Melbourne pitch will suit us…it’s not (as) hard to bat on,” he remarked.
Despite acknowledging the strength of the Australian attack and the mental hurdles of playing away, Shakeel remained confident in Pakistan’s collective ability to overcome these challenges. “When you come to Australia…it’s more of a mental challenge than physical. As a team, we have to go out there and score runs,” he concluded.
With Shahzad’s absence creating an unexpected opening, Shakeel’s call for a positive batting approach could prove crucial in Pakistan’s quest to level the series in Melbourne.
