Pakistan leave Australia defeated but hopeful of a return series

Pakistan leave Australia with two innings defeat in the Tests and no success in the T20s but hopeful things can get better.

Australia coach Justin Langer, right, with Pakistan players Imam-ul-Haq, left, and Babar Azam at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AFP

Pakistan leave Australia with two innings defeat in the Tests and no success in the T20s but hopeful things can get better.

The first order of business for the Pakistani is to host Sri Lanka in the first Test series they have hosted since a terror attack on a Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

The second is to host the Pakistan Super League at home for the first time since its inception. The third is connected to number two with Pakistan hopeful that they can lure an Australia A tour next year and a Test tour in 2021.

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News that Australian Cricketers Association president Shane Watson will be part of the PSL in 2020 is a positive sign as Pakistan must convince both Cricket Australia and the ACA.

Pakistan blooded two teenage bowlers with little success on this tour but there were plenty of good signs with another of their Shaheen Shah Afridi who is himself only 19 and has only played a handful of matches.

The conditions are foreign to what the visitors grow up with and there is little time to adapt in such a short visit but captain Azhar Ali said the side needed to accept it.

“We have to adapt,” Azhar said. “These are the best batting conditions anywhere in the world because there’s even bounce and there’s not many cracks opening up early in the game.”

He was hopeful the next time the nations clashed in a Test, it would be in Pakistan.

“We’re all hopeful because a lot of positive things have happened lately,” he said.

“We have Sri Lanka playing Test matches in a couple of weeks. So hopefully other teams will see that it’s safe to play.”

The batsmen fared better than the bowlers, emerging star Babar Azam scored 97 and 104. Spinner Yasir Shah surprised with a century in Adelaide.

Asad Shafiq is a fine batsman and leaves with two half centuries, new wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan was impressive in both Tests with the bat and kept well after a rough start. His appointment was controversial but may be less so since.