Tony Hemming, Pakistan’s pitch curator, was criticized by former cricketer Basit Ali for not knowing how to “prepare for a pitch” before the second Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, which started on Tuesday, October 15.
Last Monday, the Multan Cricket Stadium hosted the opening Test in the three-match series between England and Pakistan. Batters dominated the surface, leaving bowlers with very little to work with. In the end, England achieved one of their most famous victories on Asian soil, winning by an innings and 47 runs.
The lack of support the track gave the spinners was one of the most obvious features. Shoaib Bashir, an off-spinner for England, bowled 38 overs but only took one wicket in both innings. Jack Leach, an experienced player, had to work hard to get his seven wickets.
Before receiving medical attention after becoming ill, Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled 35 overs, gave up 174 runs at an economy rate of 4.97, and went wicketless. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha and part-timer Saim Ayub made valuable contributions with the ball, but at a significant run loss cost.
Despite his experience, Basit Ali asserted that Hemming lacks pitch preparation skills.
The 53-year-old cited India as an example, praising them for their capacity to customize proposals to their preferences.
“We anticipated that the ball would spin on the second day of the first Test match. However, not even on the sixth day did it occur. The curator, who hails from Australia, has also been involved with the ICC. Basit posted on his YouTube channel, “But he doesn’t know how to prepare a pitch.”
In the hopes that the ball will spin, players will now compete on the same field. What use does it serve to hire a curator who lacks pitching skills? This is a crucial question. The entire world is ridiculing us. Take a look at India. “The pitch is ready the way they desire,” he continued.
After a tumultuous beginning, Pakistan looks good in the second Test.
Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub provided the hosts a calm start after Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bat first. But Jack Leach got rid of Shafique and Masood before the tenth over of the innings.
However, by reviving the innings, debutant Kamran Ghulam and Ayub in the middle have assisted Pakistan in making a comeback.
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On Day 1, both players reached their half-centuries in the second session. But from Potts’ delivery, Stokes, who was positioned near the non-striker, was given an easy catch by Ayub. At tea, Pakistan is 173/3.