Napier, December 13: Labelling Australia as ”beatable”, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam believes that his side has the potential to overcome the World Champions in their upcoming Test series later this month.
Pakistan, who headed into the third day of the third Test against the Black Caps here today, has not been too impressive but Alam is confident that after India and South Africa, his team can emerge victorious in the series against the Australians, starting December 26.
He also said Pakistan already has a good bowling unit and needs to come up with a powerful batting display to beat the World Champions.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 match Down Under.
”There’s no doubt that it (the tour to Australia) will be a step up,” Alam said. ”Australia are one of the best teams in the world and you have to give them that credit.
”It’s going to be a challenge for us to go there and try and do well against them. ”They are still one of the best sides in Testcricket, but that’s not to say they can’t be beaten.
”They can be beaten and other sides like India have done that the last time they were there.
”The South Africans also beat them there and, to me, that means there’s also a very good chance for us as well.
”This side, if we play up to our potential, especially in the batting department, I think we have a good enough bowling unit to get them out twice,” the 67-year-old told mediapersons here.
Alam further said that the Australians, who were held to a draw by the West Indies in last week’s second Test at the Adelaide, have lost their aura of invincibility taking into account the unavailability of star players like Adam Gilchrist, Glann McGrath, Shane Warne among others.
”They (Australia) have lost some matchwinners, there’s no denying that,” he said. ”Adam Gilchrist is not there. Glenn McGrath is not there.
”Shane Warne is not there either, and it makes a lot of difference. ”When you lose so quickly three matchwinners, it makes a lot of difference. Naturally, it provides a great opportunity for other people to get a chance to play for Australia and I think it’s going to take some time before they reach that same standard they had,” the former leg-spinner adsserted.
Over reports that this time the axe has been hovering over his head and that a new coach could be appointed as early as the Australian tour, Alam dismissed tham and said they are nothing else than just ”speculations”.
”I have signed a two-year contract and these reports are nothing but speculation,” he said.
”People have different ideas and different motives.
”I’ll be getting on the plane with the team when we go to Australia,” Alam added.
–Agencies