Image Credit- AFP
Australian cricket fans who came of age recently have
only known Pakistan’s Test team as a joke on their soil. The numbers are
especially grim for Pakistan, who have lost 14 consecutive Test matches in
Australia spanning more than 20 years.
Pakistan’s reputation as a highly volatile team in
Australia was solidified by their devastating losses in Hobart ’99 and Sydney
’10, in addition to their ongoing looting.
It is unlikely that Pakistan will break with history.
With the exception of a few players, some Australian cricket fans who only
watch the sport in December and January are unaware of their lineup when they
travel to Perth for the first game of the series.
But with skipper Shan Masood taking over for Babar
Azam, Pakistan is confident about the new chapter in their history. He wants to
be a stabilising presence for a young Pakistan that is once more enveloped in
turbulence off the pitch.
Masood set a good example at the crease by becoming
more aggressive, and Pakistan was able to successfully revert to its aggressive
brand during a stunning series triumph in Sri Lanka in July. ‘Bazball’
analogies have been inevitable, but Pakistan’s dedication to the cause will be
put to the test against an Australia team still riding high after their
thrilling World Cup victory last month.
Australia could face lethargy after a demanding year
as they focus on Test cricket for the first time since the Ashes, even if they
start as heavy favourites. Their players have been prepared differently; some
have chosen to rest, while others have played a combination of Sheffield
Shield, BBL, and T20I series against India.
Many people believe that this Test season, which also
marks the return of the West Indies, is low-key in preparation for the summers
of India and England, which promise to be huge events. But in addition to
trying to cement their legacy, Australia will also be looking to win important
points and spark their championship defence against Pakistan in the World Test
Championship.
An entertaining Test match – on a fast pitch
resembling the characteristics of the WACA’s iconic surface – might just prove
defining for a city where local fans have an uneasy relationship with the
national team.