Pakistan Head Coach Dav Whatmore wary of a South African Comeback in the Second Test
Monday, October 21st, 2013 3:44:22 by Ahmad Mehdi
Despite a comprehensive win by the Green machines in the first test against the mighty South Africans, Pakistan Cricket Team head coach Dav Whatmore is adamant that Pakistan will have to be on the top of their game if they are to hand the world’s number one test side a series loss. For him, it doesn’t matter even if the Pakistani’s manage to draw the second test to be held in Dubai from 23rd October.
“Well 1-0 is just as good as 2-0 as I think because a hard fought draw is also very important for any team, having been 1-0 up in the series, but we enter the game to win,” added Whatmore while talking to the media on Sunday.
“This South African unit is quite resilient,” added the 59-year-old Whatmore, who came under a barrage of criticism after his side lost to the Zimbabweans in the second Test last month.
Recollecting his personal experience with the South African teams of past, he said;
“I’ve had firsthand experience in Sri Lanka where they lost by an innings in Galle and came back to win in Kandy,” said Whatmore of the series in Sri Lanka.
“I think there was a drawn game in Colombo so it was 1-1 in the series, so you leave them off at your peril.”
Pakistan entered the series as thorough underdogs, but find themselves ahead by one in the two game series. The onus is now on South Africa to deliver and to make matters worse, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn, the number one test batsman and bowler in the world respectively, are doubtful for the second test. Amla is presently in Durban, where his wife is expecting a second child. If he does not leave Durban by tomorrow, his chances of joining the time for the test are next to zero. Steyn on the other hand did not practice yesterday after straining his right hamstring. He is expected to be a game time decision, but with ODI’s and T’20s coming, the Safas might not risk his injury.
Image courtesy: cricinfo.com
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41940
Posted by Ahmad Mehdi
on Oct 21 2013. Filed under Pakistan, Sports.
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