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Legendary cricketer Wasim Akram has provided crucial advice to the Pakistan bowlers currently playing against Australia in the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Wasim Akram’s tips to Pakistan bowlers
Following Australia’s formidable first innings total of 487, driven by David Warner‘s 163 and Mitchell Marsh‘s 90, Pakistan bowlers struggled to maintain the right line and length. Speaking to Fox Sports, Akram pointed out that sub-continent pacers are often enticed by the pace and bounce in Australia, leading them to bowl short, a strategy that tends to backfire. The former pacer emphasized the need for Pakistani bowlers to focus on their line and length, a key aspect that Australian bowlers consistently prioritize.
“Australia is a different ballgame. The Kookaburra ball after 15 overs, it doesn’t do anything. They want you to bowl short. They get the hang of the bounce. They can pull well. They can hook well,” Akram said.
“I think my advice to all the Pakistani bowlers is that length is the key. The minute you get the length right, that’s where you trouble the batters, not with the short balls. Don’t get excited by the bounce here at the Optus Cricket Ground,” the 57-year-old concluded.
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David Warner’s perspective on bowling tactics
Warner, playing in his last Test series, echoed similar sentiments regarding the bowling tactics of visiting teams compared to Australian bowlers. Warner highlighted the core difference, emphasizing that Australian bowlers adhere to their line and length meticulously, leading to their success. The left-handed batter shared how he strategically manipulated visiting bowlers, enticing them to bowl in areas where he could capitalize.
“Sometimes opposition teams come to Australia and they pitch one or two up and get driven back down the ground, then they get off that length. Whereas if you look at our bowlers, they try and consistently hit that length, and they want you to (it) straight past them,” Warner said.
“I don’t think I scored one run down the ground today, and that’s when you know you’ve got them off their length. I just don’t think they bowled enough balls in the right area to make us play,” the 37-year-old concluded.
