Pakistan’s T20I squad trains on marble surface for Australia series

KARACHI: Preparing for the challenging conditions of Australia, Pakistan’s T20I squad tried a unique approach at the National Bank Stadium, practicing their batting on a marble surface to simulate the pace and bounce typical of Australian pitches.

With the three-match T20I series against Australia set from November 14 to 18, players Omair Bin Yousuf and Usman Khan undertook this unconventional drill, with balls pitched on a marble slab to mimic the faster surfaces they’ll face.

Usman Khan explained that this training idea came after reflecting on Pakistan’s performance in the first ODI, realizing they needed to adapt better to Australia’s lively pitches. “After watching the ODI, we knew adapting to the high bounce would be crucial. Practicing on marble lets us sharpen our timing and improve on shots like the pull and cut,” Usman shared.

Acknowledging the challenge of Australian conditions, Usman expressed confidence in the team’s preparations. “Early wickets are often in play on both sides, so adjusting quickly to the bounce is essential,” he said.

Usman added that he’s flexible in terms of batting order, focusing on contributing runs wherever needed. “Whether at number four or elsewhere, my goal is to add valuable runs,” he noted.

He also spoke about playing under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, highlighting their strong camaraderie built during the Pakistan Super League with the Multan Sultans. “Rizwan fosters great team synergy. Playing with him in the PSL has been a valuable experience,” Usman concluded.

As the T20 series approaches, Australia currently leads Pakistan 1-0 in the ongoing three-match ODI series, which will conclude on November 10.