NEW DELHI: In the 12 times Pakistan have toured Australia, they have never managed to win a series Down Under. Making the matter worse is the 14 straight defeats that Pakistan have endured as their winless run since 1995 continues.
Former Test captain Salman Butt feels that if Pakistan are to break their disastrous run in Australia they should take cue India as the neighbouring country has recently beaten the Aussies in their own backyard twice in the recent times.
The Pakistan side is currently in Australia for a three-match Test series that began in Sydney on Thursday.
India have beaten Australia twice -- 2-1 in the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2020-21 and 2-1 again in 2022-23.
Highlighting the game-planning and execution of the Indian team in Australia, Butt pointed out what Pakistan should be focussing on to do against Australia.
"I think the key was the hard length of the Indian bowlers and the ability of their batters to grind down the Australian bowlers and wear them down," Butt said.
Butt noted that in the last series, the Indian top-order wore down the Australian bowlers and Pakistan need to follow a similar template to end their 14-Test losing streak Down Under.
"Once that happened the lower-order batters played aggressive cricket, Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar if I recall correctly," Butt said.
"The key is patience in Australia, wear them down. This is not a very young pace attack and Indian batters made them bowl a lot of overs."
Butt said the Pakistani bowlers need to study the videos of Indians to be successful in Australia.
"Because of the even bounce of Australian pitches it is not difficult to score runs but you have to be very patient," said Butt, who scored a hundred in Hobart.
He also backed the appointment of Shan Masood as the new Test captain of Pakistan.
"He is a level headed and sensible guy who has really worked hard to improve his game. His captaincy stints in the PSL, plus in England for Yorkshire will help him a lot in easing into his new role in Australia."
(With inputs from PTI)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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