Why Pakistan prepared a dead pitch for Rawalpindi Test? Answer revealed

The first match of Australia's tour to Pakistan ended in a tame draw. The match saw almost 1200 runs and only 14 wickets across five days. There was nothing on the offer for the bowlers and the batters glided through each innings.

It has now been learned that the Pakistan team management requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to curate a dead pitch in the fear of losing the match. The team feared that they had inexperienced players and Australia was a dominating opposition.

 "The home side's think tank including head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and skipper Babar Azam requested PCB to make a slow pitch in contrast to what Pindi Stadium's pitch generally offers.

"Due to having young openers, inexperienced pacers and viewing the quality Aussie pace attack, the team management had a fear of loss and didn't want a sporting track for the first Test," read a report from Cricket Pakistan.

In a match against South Africa at the same venue last year, Pakistan had a 95-run win on a wicket that was appreciated for its sporting nature. Hasan Ali got ten wickets, Anrich Nortje and spinner George Linde took fifers, and Aiden Markram and Mohammad Rizwan struck hundreds.

Meanwhile, Imam ul Haq scored twin centuries in the first Test against Australia. Azhar Ali and Abdullah Shafique also scored hundreds in the match. Nauman Ali had a six-wicket haul in the first innings. The Australian team also did well with the bat in the only innings they batted in. The top four Australian batters scored half-centuries. However, their bowling was not up to the mark as they took only four wickets in two innings.

The series will now move to Karachi for the next match. The match will be played at the National Stadium from the 12th of March.