In a bid to salvage some pride in the ongoing Test series against Australia, Pakistan are contemplating significant changes for the upcoming Sydney Test. The most notable shift is the potential exclusion of opener Imam-ul-Haq, who has faced criticism for his inconsistent performances.
Haq’s struggles continued in the first two Tests, where he managed scores of 10 and 12 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and 62 and 10 in Perth. As an opener, his lack of substantial contributions has raised concerns, prompting the team management to consider dropping him from the playing XI.
The emerging talent, Saim Ayub, is likely to make his debut in the Sydney Test as Pakistan look to inject fresh energy into the batting lineup. The decision to bring in Saim Ayub underscores the team’s commitment to providing opportunities to promising young players.
Imam-ul-Haq’s stats during Pak vs Aus Tests so far
Imam-ul-Haq’s modest returns of 94 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 31.22 have left the team management dissatisfied, especially considering the lack of significant scores from the Pakistani top-order throughout the series. No Pakistani batter features in the top three run-scorers, with Mitchell Marsh leading the charts with 290 runs.
On the bowling front, Aamer Jamal has emerged as the second-best performer, claiming 12 wickets in the series. Pat Cummins leads the bowling charts with 13 wickets. Despite some individual performances, Pakistan have faced challenges in containing the Australian batting lineup and securing breakthroughs at crucial junctures.
The Sydney Test holds significant importance for Pakistan as they aim to avoid a series of whitewash. Australia has already secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, making the final Test a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to end on a positive note. The team’s focus will be on executing a well-rounded performance to counter Australia’s dominance and secure a victory in the third Test.
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