Cricket Australia's CEO Nick Hockley responded to Mohammad Hafeez's concerns about the pitch in Canberra during Pakistan's four-day practice match against Prime Minister XI.
Despite Hafeez expressing disappointment in the perceived sluggishness of the pitch, Hockley focused on the positive aspects of the game. He highlighted the valuable exposure the Pakistani batters gained to Australian playing conditions during the Prime Minister XI match, even though it was marred by weather disruptions.
"The Prime Minister XI game provided a crucial opportunity for Pakistani batters to acclimatise to Australian conditions. Regrettably, the game could not be completed due to significant weather disruptions overnight before the final day of play," said Hockley.
Shifting the narrative towards optimism, Hockley emphasised the series as excellent preparation and a confidence booster for the Pakistani side, applauding both teams for achieving substantial scores. He particularly praised the captain's outstanding batting performance, scoring 200, as a demonstration of skill and resilience.
Hockley also acknowledged Pakistan's competitive spirit on the field and commended the unwavering support of Pakistani fans during the T20 World Cup 2022 final in Melbourne. Expressing anticipation for the upcoming series, he said, "We are excited about the upcoming Pakistan series. Witnessing the competitiveness of these teams during their last encounter in Pakistan was truly remarkable."
Looking ahead to the Benaud Qadir Trophy, Hockley expressed eagerness for the backing of Pakistani fans in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. He concluded, "We anticipate a tremendous amount of support from Pakistani fans during the Benaud Qadir Trophy, and we would be delighted to see them in full force in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney."
