Lahore:
The Pakistani team management has made efforts to take 20 wickets in the first Test against South Africa.
Interim head coach Azhar Mahmood says that the pitch at Gaddafi Stadium will definitely spin, but not as much as it did in the series against England and West Indies. We are determined to take full advantage of the home conditions against a strong opponent. It remains to be seen how we will get the Proteas out twice. The final team will be selected after inspecting the pitch.
On the other hand, after Pakistan, the South African team also began intensive preparations in Lahore. Both teams conducted special practices for three hours at the Gaddafi Stadium yesterday. The visiting team focused mostly on batting and spin bowling. The Pakistani players appeared to be fighting for their lives during practice.
The coaching staff gave special advice to the players to improve the quality of fielding, different combinations were tried while batting, the openers did special exercises to play the new ball, and the spinners also practiced intensively to awaken the magic of magical bowling.
According to details, the national team's interim head coach Azhar Mahmood says that the home series with South Africa will be a big test for the national team, but the players will take to the field with full preparation and passion.
Talking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium, he said that South Africa is one of the strongest teams in the world, they have won the Test Championship and are currently ranked number 2, but our focus will be on our performance. The goal is not just to win matches but also to consistently play better in every session.
The head coach said that Pakistan has 6 home Test matches this year, if the team achieves success on its own soil, it can achieve a prominent position in the championship race.
He said that last year we adopted a method that was favorable to us, we were successful in it, and if we continue to win home series, then improvement in the world ranking is possible.
Azhar Mahmood said that the pitch at Gaddafi Stadium will be helpful for spinners, but it will not spin fast like the West Indies or England, but will turn slowly. The final XI will be decided on the day of the match, considering the condition of the pitch and weather conditions. Mohammad Rizwan will play as the main wicketkeeper, while Rohail Nazir is in the back-up team. Talented players will be given opportunities in the future.
The head coach said that the Pakistani team has practiced considering the opponent's strength, our focus is on overcoming weaknesses and achieving the ability to take 20 wickets, we have prepared thoroughly according to our resources and the players will take the field with full confidence.
Azhar Mahmood said that a Test match is not won in a day, it requires 4-5 days of continuous hard work. If the team wins more sessions, then the match will also be won.
The head coach said that where Pakistani batsmen faced difficulties in the Asia Cup, the team management has worked on their shortcomings on technical grounds. We have trained all the top-order batsmen, including Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq and Kamran Ghulam, to play spin, and are confident that the results will be better in this series.
On the other hand, preparations for the Test series in Pakistan and South Africa reached a peak at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The visiting team conducted special batting, bowling and fielding practices at the Gaddafi Stadium for the first time after arriving in Lahore yesterday. Most of the focus was on batting and spin bowling. On this occasion, the players appeared very excited and continued to enjoy the pleasant weather of Lahore along with intensive training.
Along with South Africa, the Pakistan cricket team also participated in the three-hour long training session, in which special batting, bowling and fielding exercises were conducted. The players first warmed up and later focused on improving their technical skills and fitness through various drills. The coaching staff gave special advice for improving fielding, and different combinations were tried while batting.
During the practice at the stadium, the openers were given special drills to play against the new ball, the bowling coach gave the fast bowlers specific training on line and length control. The spinners bowled from both ends of the pitch to adapt themselves to possible situations.
It should be remembered that the first Test will begin on October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with both teams determined to gain the upper hand.
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