Gabba Test: Pak's pacers 'lacked planning, discipline', says former bowling coach

Former Pakistan bowling coach Mohammad Akram is quite unhappy with the 'unplanned' bowling done by Pakistan pacers on Day 1 of the first Test of their three-Test series against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Steve Smith scored his 16th Test ton as the host won the opening day honours and Akram feels Pakistan face an uphill task to make a comeback in the game.

"It seemed to me that the fast-bowlers were bowling with no plan," he was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. "They were bowling with the same approach that they employ in the UAE."

"In Australian conditions, the bowlers get more bounce and the fast-bowlers need to bowl on a proper line and length. That was missing from the three fast-bowlers on the opening day. They lacked discipline," he added.

 

The former Test pacer also felt that the Misbah-ul-Haq-led side could have done with a right-arm pacer.

"A right-armer could have given Pakistan more variety in their pace attack as the left-arm trio bowled with similar approach," he said.

The 42-year-old was also critical of Yasir Shah who could manage only one wicket in 31 overs, giving away 97 runs and said the leg spinner needs to be smarter in approach to improve his match figures.

"The Australian batsmen have done their homework and were reading him very well. Now Yasir needs to be smarter in his approach," said Akram.

"It's obvious Yasir's performance has been affected since Mushtaq (Ahmed) stopped travelling with the team. He has been struggling in conditions outside the UAE," he added.

At Stumps on Day 1, the hosts were 288-3 with Smith and Peter Handscomb unbeaten at 110 and 64 respectively.

"If they (Pakistan) manage to dismiss Australia inside the 500-run mark then it would be an achievement," Akram said. "Pakistan can make a comeback as they have some good batsmen who can excel in any condition."

The Aussies would be looking to post a big first-innings score and put the Misbah-ul-Haq side under serious pressure.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Akram as their bowling coach on a one-year contract. He had been removed from coaching on April24, 2014 and is working as head coach at National Cricket Academy.