Result-oriented wickets to be prepared, says Hanif (22 November 1998)

22 November 1998

Result-oriented wickets to be prepared, says Hanif

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 21: Hanif Mohammad promised on Saturday that he would prepare result-oriented wickets in the forthcoming Test series against Zimbabwe.

"I can't comment what type of wickets will be made, but they (wickets) would certainly produce results," the Little Master said.

The former captain said since he was unsure what was the composition of the Pakistan team for the Test series, he wouldn't commit if the wickets would assist the seamers or the pacers.

"The fitness of the fast bowlers is unknown.

"Before preparing the wicket, I would consult the chief selector, the coach and if required the captain because they would be the best people to know what their strategy would be and what type of wicket they would like," Hanif stated.

However, Hanif said in any case the objective would be to prepare sporting tracks "on which both the bowlers and the batsmen have to work hard to excel in their respective departments."

He said he would be leaving for Peshawar on Monday admitting that the time was very short for preparing the first Test wicket. "I was communicated about the appointment on Saturday morning. The time is short but still my objective would be to beat the time factor."

Hanif pointed out that if the experts think that Perth-like wickets should be prepared, they were mistaken. "The conditions and nature of the soil are different. Yes, a fast track can be prepared at Sialkot but very difficult in Karachi or Lahore or Rawalpindi.

"Grass can still be left on top but the scorching sun would take the juice out of it very quickly. Even then, good seamers can extract help out of it," Hanif remarked.

Hanif said for the time being, he has been appointed to supervise the preparation of wickets for the series against Zimbabwe. "But Khalid Mahmood (PCB chairman) told me that for a long term appointment, the approval of the executive council was required which would be taken in the meeting whenever it takes place."

The appointment of Hanif Mohammad has provided a welcome relief to the followers of the game after horrendous wickets were prepared for the series against Australia which Pakistan lost 1-0. The first Test of the rubber produced turning track but after that tall scoring matches were played despite predictions that spinning tracks to suit the home team bowlers would be produced.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)