Hafeez believes settled Pakistan are up for the Australia challenge
Since Wasim Akram’s Pakistan beat Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 1995/96 season, the Men in Green haven’t won a single Test in Australia. In fact, after that win, the team has lost 14 successive Tests in the country.
Shan Masood was Pakistan's joint-highest-scorer at the T20 World Cup 2022.
This bit of history adds pressure to the Shan Masood-led side, who are all due to begin a three-Test series Down Under from December 14.
However, Pakistan’s team director Hafeez was confident about his side’s prospects. Speaking to reporters ahead of the game, he believed that the Test side bore a settled look and was up for the Australia challenge.
Pakistan men's team director Mohammad Hafeez's media talk in Perth ahead of the first Test.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/RLv2c8jWMx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 11, 2023
“This Test team is very settled. They've all done a great job for Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez said. “Everyone is excited to take the challenge. Performing in Australia would be great for them. We are here to beat Australia, not just to compete.
“As a team, we believe we have a great team. We have great talent within the team who can win in Australia. Preparation-wise we have ticked most of the boxes. The guys are really hungry to perform in Australia.”
“I’ve received the message from the team-mates. They want to beat Australia this time.”
Pakistan played a first-class warm-up fixture against the Prime Minister’s XI, which ended in a draw. Masood shone with a double-century, scoring more than half runs for his side. No other Pakistan batter managed a fifty, even as Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam ranged in the 40s.
Hafeez was all praise for Masood and added that the player was always ready for this role.
“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. We have seen his management skills come to the fore. This doesn’t feel like a new captain or a new management.
What's important is that this is a confident unit here, and Shan is playing his role very well.”