Pakistan cricket team head coach Waqar Younis is of the opinion that Pakistan 'A's' 153-run win over Australia in a warm-up game has helped him find flaws in the opposition for the first Test starting in Dubai, saying that paceman Mitchell Johnson would be a key factor.
Waqar said that it is quite nice to see Australia lose against the Pakistan 'A' team, who won in Sharjah in a four-day match on Saturday. He added that it was good to see youngsters doing well there and it definitely has given them an edge or a boost, because they have seen some weaknesses, which can be good for Pakistan in the Tests.
But Waqar also warned his team should not take Australia for granted.
Waqar said of Australia's 3-0 win in the preceding ODI series that they have just won a series there. He said that they know how to bat there, have played there but added that Pakistan has its plans for the opening Test and would try to execute them, The Dawn reported.
Waqar, appointed head coach in May this year, said that Australian paceman Johnson would be a key factor in the two-match Test series. He said that there is no doubt that the fiery left-arm paceman would be an X-factor.
Waqar said that Johnson, who took six wickets in the two one-day matches he played in the UAE, is the most improved bowler in the last two-three years so he definitely is a threat, but added that Pakistan would try its best to tackle him.
Waqar also admitted Australian skipper Michael Clarke was short on practice but still had the ability to come good in the Tests.
The coach said that he hopes the Australians got what they wanted from that practice match but Clarke getting out and he hasn't played for a while, he added that he would say that's an edge but they all know that the skipper is a classy player and can come out and deliver for Australia.
