Pakistan Batters Request Flat Pitch, Coach Gillespie Rejects

Pakistan Batters Request Flat Pitch, Coach Gillespie Rejects

Pakistan’s cricket team is facing a dilemma as they prepare for their upcoming Test series against England. The batters have reportedly requested coach Jason Gillespie to instruct groundsmen to prepare a flat pitch, while former cricketer Basit Ali claims Gillespie has rejected this request.

Pakistan’s batting unit has struggled in recent times, particularly in their 0-2 whitewash against Bangladesh at home. The batters believe a flat pitch would increase their chances of scoring runs against England’s formidable bowling attack.

However, Gillespie is reportedly not in favor of completely removing grass from the pitch. He believes a grassy surface would provide more assistance to Pakistan’s bowlers, who have also been underperforming.

“I will give you an inside story. Jason Gillespie has handed a shut-up call to Pakistan batters. He wants the pitch to remain the same that has been prepared by the groundsman,” Ali said on his YouTube channel.

“Pakistan batters wanted to cut off the grass to make it a flat pitch. The pitch curator and Gillespie want to play on the same pitch. I would be really happy if the match took place on a grassy surface and our bowlers took wickets,” he added.

England, who swept aside Pakistan 3-0 in their previous visit in 2022, will be looking to replicate their success. Veteran batsman Joe Root believes the team’s previous experience in Pakistan will be beneficial.

“Yes, that series has helped us prepare for the coming matches and we have a plan on how to play here. But this is a new series and we have to play well again to win again in Pakistan,” Root said.

“We learned a few things from that series, but (playing against) Pakistan at home is a challenge. Pakistan can definitely take advantage of their home conditions and we also have a couple of new young players eager to establish themselves. It should be an interesting series,” he added.

Pakistan’s cricket team is under pressure to perform after their recent struggles. The Test series against England will be a crucial test for the team and their coach, Jason Gillespie.

Pakistan to Exploit England's Aggression in Test Series

Pakistan to Exploit England’s Aggression in Test Series

Pakistan’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel has revealed his team’s strategy for their upcoming Test series against England, echoing the sentiments of head coach Jason Gillespie. Shakeel believes that Pakistan can exploit England’s aggressive approach to induce mistakes and gain an advantage.

“England always play attacking cricket, which gives us an opportunity to induce mistakes in them and use those mistakes to stay in the game,” Shakeel said at a press conference in Multan.

Pakistan will draw inspiration from their previous series against England in 2022, despite losing 3-0. Shakeel, who was Pakistan’s second-highest scorer in that series, believes his team came close to winning on several occasions.

“The last series we played against England, there were times we were quite close to winning, such as Rawalpindi and Multan, but we couldn’t finish it off,” Shakeel said.

In Multan, where the first Test starts on Monday, Pakistan pushed England to the brink. Needing 355 for victory in the fourth innings, Pakistan were well-placed at 290 with half the side still to bat, and Shakeel on 94. However, two wickets from Mark Wood on the stroke of lunch ended Pakistan’s resistance, with England ultimately edging to a 26-run victory.

Shakeel acknowledges that Pakistan’s recent struggles with both bat and ball, as exposed by Bangladesh, make executing their plan far from guaranteed.

“We’re struggling with the bat from time to time, and unable to convert starts into huge scores,” Shakeel said. “That’s a point of concern. The series that’s over is now in the past. Admittedly we didn’t play well there. Our focus is on what’s ahead.”

Despite the challenges, Shakeel believes Pakistan’s flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations will be key.

“We don’t follow any particular style playing cricket, we play according to the requirement of any situation, which gives us flexibility,” Shakeel said.

Gillespie has also emphasized the importance of discipline and patience in Pakistan’s approach.

“The strategy is often decided on the spot depending on how England play,” Shakeel said. “Reverse swing may also come into play depending on the weather and the pitch [that is] prepared. If a team is being aggressive, it can be easy to get sucked into their style of play and over-attack. If they’re attacking, and we just let them make their mistakes, that might work out better for us.”

Pakistan Test Coach Gillespie Focuses on Fair Chances, but Warns of Changes

Pakistan Test Coach Gillespie Focuses on Fair Chances, but Warns of Changes

Pakistan’s Test team head coach, Jason Gillespie, has emphasized his commitment to providing players with ample opportunities to prove their worth in the traditional format. However, he has also made it clear that this support will not be indefinite.

“If performances are not at the required level over a prolonged period, we may consider making changes,” Gillespie stated in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

For the upcoming first Test against England, Pakistan has retained the same squad that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh at home. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been added as a second specialist spinner, joining leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Gillespie expressed confidence in his players’ understanding of his selection philosophy. “We want to back and support players,” he said.

Pakistan enters the three-Test series against England with a dismal home record, having lost six of their last ten matches and drawn the remaining four. Their poor performance includes a 3-0 whitewash by England in 2022, with one of those defeats occurring in Multan, which will host back-to-back Test matches starting on October 7.

Gillespie’s tenure as head coach began with a disappointing series against Bangladesh, who dominated Pakistan in both Tests held in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan’s batting lineup has been struggling, particularly star batter Babar Azam, who has only managed a top score of 41 in his last 16 Test innings. Despite this, Shan Masood has been retained as captain for the first Test against England, even though he has lost five straight Test matches since his elevation to captain last year.

“A lot of people are writing us off (against England), and that’s OK, that’s fine,” Gillespie said. “It will only motivate our boys a little bit more. We’ll go out and do our jobs as best we can, and hopefully, the results will take care of themselves.”

Gillespie acknowledged England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, which has seen them scoring runs at a rapid pace against various bowling attacks. “We’ve seen them evolve their game … (but) we will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment to drive the game forward and exploit gaps,” he said.

In the second Test against Bangladesh, Pakistan failed to capitalize on an advantageous position when they allowed the visitors to recover from a precarious 26 for 6 and eventually lost the match by seven wickets. Gillespie emphasized the need for Pakistan to maintain their advantage once they gain it.

“Once you gain the advantage, you have to find a way to maintain it and not let the opposition back into the game,” he said. “We must shut that door and stay well ahead.”

Kamran Ghulam, top scorer in Pakistan’s domestic cricket, was not picked for the first Test, and fast bowler Mohammad Ali was dropped from the squad. “Look, all players are disappointed when they miss out. I’d be surprised if they weren’t,” Gillespie said. “I’m relatively new to this role and I’ve only been involved in two Test matches. That’s not a big enough sample size to make long-term decisions on players. I’d rather show my support and backing for them at this stage.”

PCB Embarks on Major Review to Restore Pakistan Cricket's Glory

PCB Embarks on Major Review to Restore Pakistan Cricket’s Glory

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embarking on a comprehensive review of its international and domestic cricket operations, aiming to restore the glory days of Pakistani cricket. The “connection camp,” scheduled for September 23 in Lahore, will bring together head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and key players, including captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam.

The camp’s primary objective is to redefine Pakistan’s cricket philosophy across all formats, from grassroots to international level. The PCB aims to reverse the recent decline in the national team’s performances and establish a unified vision and shared purpose.

Inspired by England’s successful review in 2015, the PCB believes the connection camp is a crucial step towards cultural transformation. England’s rapid turnaround, culminating in the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup victories, serves as a model for Pakistan’s aspirations.

However, the PCB acknowledges the challenges it faces, particularly in terms of talent availability. Naqvi has expressed concerns about the dwindling talent pool in domestic cricket, which could hinder the pace of recovery.

To address this issue, the PCB has revamped the domestic one-day competition, now known as the Champions One-Day Cup. Scheduled from September 12 to 29, the tournament aims to identify and nurture emerging talent.

Despite the ambitious plans, the PCB recognizes the skepticism among fans. The board understands the need to bridge the trust deficit and demonstrate tangible results on the field. The connection camp is seen as a starting point in this process, but ultimately, the PCB’s success will be measured by the performance of the national team.

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis After Bangladesh Sweep

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis After Bangladesh Sweep

Pakistan cricket is in a state of disarray following their humiliating 0-2 Test series defeat to Bangladesh at home. The loss marks the first time Pakistan has been swept at home by an Asian opponent, sending shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.

Captain Shan Masood has faced the brunt of the criticism, but head coach Jason Gillespie has defended his leadership. Gillespie believes Masood has led the team well, but the players have simply not performed.

“Shan, I feel, has led the side very well. We just haven’t played well as a team and that’s the reality. We need to sharpen up on certain areas and we will sharpen up. I want to back and believe in these players, they are good enough,” Gillespie said.

Masood, for his part, remains confident in his ability to lead the team. He believes Pakistan is heading in the right direction, despite the recent setbacks.

“I am not worried for my job security. I took this job to make the changes we believe will help this team. If I believe this team can go in a certain direction, even if my personal failure takes Pakistan to that direction, I will be content. However much time I get, I’ll be grateful for and do my best,” Masood said.

Masood also highlighted the need for more Test experience within the team. He pointed to the fact that Bangladesh had several players with over 70 Tests of experience, while Pakistan lacked such depth.

“Bangladesh have two players who have played 70-90 Tests (Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahman), and Litton [Das] and Mehidy [Hasan Miraz] have played close to 40. We need the same level of red-ball exposure. Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. You need experience. It’s obvious we need more Test and red-ball cricket,” he added.

The defeat to Bangladesh has raised serious questions about the future of Pakistan cricket. The team has now lost six consecutive Test series, and their ranking has plummeted to ninth in the world.

Gillespie and Masood have their work cut out for them if they are to turn things around. They need to find a way to improve the team’s performance on the field, and they need to do it quickly. Otherwise, Pakistan cricket could be in for a long and difficult period.

PCB Implements Stringent Fitness Tests for Central Contracts

PCB Implements Stringent Fitness Tests for Central Contracts

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is implementing stringent fitness tests as a prerequisite for awarding central contracts for the upcoming 12 months. This comprehensive assessment will encompass both current contracted players and potential candidates from international and domestic competitions.

The fitness tests will be conducted from September 6 to 8 in Lahore under the supervision of white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, team physiotherapist, and trainer. The players will subsequently depart for Faisalabad to participate in the Champions Cup.

According to a reliable source within the PCB, “The fitness tests will play a pivotal role in determining which players secure contracts this year, while performance will also be a key consideration.” The source emphasized that both foreign coaches, Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, have prioritized fitness as a primary criterion for player selection.

Gillespie expressed concerns regarding the fitness levels of certain players during the recent Test series against Bangladesh, noting their inability to maintain intensity and endurance throughout the matches. Kirsten echoed similar sentiments during meetings with selectors and board officials.

The fitness tests will evaluate various aspects of a player’s physical capabilities, including gym training, stamina and endurance runs, yo-yo tests, and other assessments.

Currently, the PCB has awarded central contracts to approximately 27 players. However, indications suggest that the number may be reduced this time due to the national team’s underwhelming performances across all formats in the past year.

The recent 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh has drawn significant criticism towards players and board officials, prompting the PCB to implement stricter fitness standards to enhance the team’s competitiveness.

Pakistan Coach Backs Masood Despite Test Series Loss to Bangladesh

Pakistan Coach Backs Masood Despite Test Series Loss to Bangladesh

Pakistan’s recent Test series loss to Bangladesh has sparked criticism of captain Shan Masood’s leadership. However, head coach Jason Gillespie has expressed support for Masood, attributing the team’s performance to broader issues rather than individual leadership.

Gillespie emphasized that the team’s performance, not Masood’s leadership, was the primary concern. He stated, “We just haven’t played well as a team and that’s the reality. We need to sharpen up on certain areas and we will sharpen up.”

Masood himself acknowledged the criticism but remained committed to long-term improvement. He said, “I am not worried for my job security. I took this job to make the changes we believe will help this team.”

Masood highlighted the need for more experience and exposure in red-ball cricket for his team. He pointed to Bangladesh’s seasoned players as an example, stating, “We need the same level of red-ball exposure. Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. You need experience.”

Gillespie echoed Masood’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience and refining skills. He said, “We need to back and believe in these players, they are good enough.”

Both players and management appear focused on addressing these issues to improve future performances. The emphasis seems to be on gaining experience and refining skills to better compete in the red-ball format.

Pakistan Coach Gillespie Backs Babar Azam Amidst Batting Slump

Pakistan Coach Gillespie Backs Babar Azam Amidst Batting Slump

Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam has been facing a prolonged batting slump, raising concerns among fans and experts. Despite his struggles, Pakistan’s Test coach Jason Gillespie has expressed unwavering support for Azam, believing that the right-hander is on the cusp of a resurgence.

Azam’s struggles began after the ODI World Cup in India last year. He briefly relinquished the captaincy but resumed leadership in the white-ball format ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, his batting form has remained elusive, leading to criticism from fans and former players.

In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Azam has managed only 64 runs in four innings. This has intensified the scrutiny on his form, with many questioning his ability to lead Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Despite the criticism, Gillespie remains confident in Azam’s abilities. “Babar is a quality player. He is a world-class player. He is very close. I feel it. I am confident that we are going to see Babar scoring some big runs very soon,” Gillespie said after the end of Day 4.

Gillespie believes that Azam is not far from rediscovering his prolific scoring ability. “He probably hasn’t converted the start he has got,” Gillespie added.

Azam’s struggles have coincided with a challenging period for Pakistan’s cricket team. After a series whitewash in Australia, Pakistan’s batting lineup was exposed as vulnerable. Azam’s poor form in England and the T20 World Cup further highlighted the team’s batting woes.

Pakistan will face England in a Test series next, and the pressure will be on Azam to deliver. The team will rely heavily on its premier batsman to make impactful contributions and guide Pakistan to victory.

Pakistan Faces Baptism of Fire as Bangladesh Nears Series Sweep

Pakistan Faces Baptism of Fire as Bangladesh Nears Series Sweep

Pakistan’s head coach, Jason Gillespie, has faced a challenging start to his tenure as the team struggles to avoid a series loss against Bangladesh. With one day remaining in the crucial Test match, Gillespie acknowledged the visitors’ favoritism but emphasized the need for discipline and application from his players.

In the first innings, Pakistan’s bowlers had Bangladesh on the ropes at 6 for 26, but a resilient 165-run seventh-wicket stand propelled the visitors to a respectable 262, the highest score in Test history for a team losing their first six wickets under 50. Gillespie stressed the importance of managing such situations effectively, as Pakistan’s bowlers faltered in the face of Bangladesh’s resistance.

On the fourth morning, Bangladesh replicated Pakistan’s success from the previous day, dismissing the hosts for 172, with all ten wickets falling to the quicks. Gillespie criticized his bowlers for deviating from their game plan and urged them to maintain discipline and intent.

Pakistan’s off-field decision-making has also come under scrutiny. In the first Test, they opted for an all-pace attack, neglecting spinner Abrar Ahmed, a decision that backfired when Bangladesh’s slow bowlers dominated the final day. This time, despite preparing a seam-friendly pitch, Pakistan omitted Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the playing XI, leaving them without genuine pace or old-ball threat.

Gillespie defended the team’s selection, stating that they considered the conditions and surfaces. However, he acknowledged that Afridi and Shah are valuable assets and that the team is working to build a squad mentality.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Gillespie expressed hope that Pakistan could still salvage a victory. He emphasized the importance of taking catches, seizing opportunities, and maintaining a positive mindset.

However, the weather may play a significant role in the outcome. Steady rain has been falling for several hours, with more forecast overnight and on the final day. If play is not possible, Bangladesh will secure their most famous series win, while Pakistan will be left to rue their missed opportunities.

Pakistan Recall Abrar Ahmed for Second Test Against Bangladesh

Pakistan Recall Abrar Ahmed for Second Test Against Bangladesh

Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to face off in the second Test match in Rawalpindi, with the visitors aiming to secure their first Test series victory over the hosts. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to level the series after losing the first Test by 10 wickets.

The home team has recalled spinner Abrar Ahmed to their squad after opting for an all-pace attack in the first Test. Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie, who is in his first series with Pakistan, admitted that it will be a challenge to square the series.

“We want to go out there and play positive,” said Gillespie. “It’s about scoring lots of singles and with our bowling we want to be ruthless and challenging the opposition batters.”

Gillespie also backed under-pressure skipper Shan Masood, who failed with the bat in the first match. “Shan is a very positive captain,” said Gillespie. “He wants to play and win games …. we showed that with our intent in the first game but it didn’t quite work out and that’s credit to our opposition.”

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their impressive form after their clinical performance in the first Test. The visitors upset Pakistan with a ten-wicket display, their first win in over 14 encounters against the hosts.

Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of Pakistan’s squad for the second match to spend time with his new-born son and family. Afridi struggled to find his rhythm in the first Test, and his absence will be a blow to Pakistan’s bowling attack.

The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a series victory.

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