Pitch on the agenda as batting coach Yousuf travels to Multan

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf has travelled to Multan, ahead of the second Test against England, in order to ensure that a better pitch is made for the crucial clash.

The pitch made for the ongoing first Test in Rawalpindi has been criticised from all corners due to the flat nature of the track.

According to sources, on advice of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and captain Babar Azam, Yousuf has left for Multan in order to share his input with chief curator Agha Zahid ahead of the second Test.

“The PCB and Pakistan team management is keen on preparing a pitch which gives advantage to Pakistan bowlers,” the source revealed.

The teams of Pakistan and England will reach Multan on Tuesday for the next match of the series.

Earlier, Ramiz Raja, a former national captain and now Pakistan Cricket Board chief, said he was "not happy at all" over the state of the pitch, which he admitted was "not a great advert" for Test cricket.

"We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan," he told reporters, adding, "it´s embarrassing for us, especially if you have a cricketer as chairman."

On the same pitch in March this year, some 1,187 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets as Pakistan and Australia played out a tame draw.

Rawalpindi was termed "below average" by International Cricket Council match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who also awarded it a demerit point.

A venue is banned for 12 months if it accumulates five demerit points over a period of five years.

Pakistan has played little Test cricket at home for over a decade as security issues forced fixtures to neutral grounds abroad.

After the criticism earlier this year, Raja brought in Australian specialist Damien Hough, who suggested removable drop-in pitches as a solution.

"I think our way out is for drop-in pitches," Raja said.

"If you want to nail England, for example, we´ve got to prepare a drop-in pitch that turns from ball number one.

"It is better than having this hodge-podge where you get a half-baked pitch which is neither quick nor spin."

It must be noted that England plundered runs on a lifeless wicket in Rawalpindi in the first innings. The visitors were finally all out for 657 — including a record 506 from the first day Thursday — with four batsmen scoring centuries off the hapless Pakistan bowling.

In reply, three Pakistan batter scored centuries as the home side posted 579 in their first innings.

In the second innings, England batted a run-rate of over seven to set Pakistan a daunting target of 343 runs. 

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