Pakistan no pushover, says Lillee

[Zainub]

FAST-BOWLING legend Dennis Lillee has warned against dismissing Pakistan's chances against Australia this summer on the strength of shaky early tour form.

Pakistan's batsmen produced a carbon copy of their poor first innings from two days ago to be bowled out for a pitiful 174 by Western Australia on day three at the WACA Ground yesterday.

The tourists managed 262 on day one of the match and yesterday, in their second dig, were skittled after just 54.2 overs and inside two sessions.

With more than a day to play, the Warriors only needed 33 to win.

Since arriving in Australia 13 days ago, Pakistan has lost to a WA Second XI before an unconvincing one-day win over the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill.

Lillee said history showed Pakistan often performed below expectations in low-key matches before turning it on when it mattered most.

"I don't see it as something they do on purpose," Lillee told Perth radio. "You can't take too much notice of their training or lead-up games.

"They're very much a team for the occasion and when they want to they can turn it on.

By MICHAEL PLACE for The Sunday Mail (Qld)

[Maranello]

The Australians are in serious danger of overestimating the threat posed by Pakistan. The other day Ponting hinted that Australia will not play a fourth seamer (Lee) instead of Lehmann, since he feared they needed all six specialist batsmen (and Gilly) to combat Pakistan's "bowling strength", and that otherwise they may be all out very cheaply if they have to bat first!

I had a quiet chuckle at that, poor guy, he will be disappointed when he faces the Pakistan bowling on the 16th; the fast bowling cupboard, apart from the splendid Akhtar, seems to be bare.

At the WACA, Pakistan will struggle to put up a contest, though things may get somewhat interesting at the MCG and the SCG.

[vvvrulz]

I agree, Moh'd Sami is far too inconsistant to be a major threat, I never did rate him all that highly, he only seem to destory the kiwi's constantly. Razzaq and Ul-Hasan, if they both play, aren't anything major eithers. You're right, it all depends really on Shoaib (and Kaneria).

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Maranello

The Australians are in serious danger of overestimating the threat posed by Pakistan

Australia are wary of our unpredictability, M. They know we are capable of beating them but also capble of losing very, very badly, they are just not sure which Pakistan side will turn up come match day, will be it the world beating Pakistan side or will be the no-beaters Pakistani side, the statements that are coming through from Ricky Ponting are not because they overestimate us, but because they are just not sure at all of how we will play. They are just giving us the respect we deserve being an international side, they are not in my opinion overestimating us.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Adam Gilchrist (making exactly the same point I did, i.e. we're way too unpredictable to be written off completely

"All of us have seen Pakistan be hot and cold, whether it's a tour match or an international game. So we'll be wary of them still.".

Full story here

[Nikhil]

Ever since Ponting has become the captain, Aussies have started over-estimating the opposition. Steve Waugh was very different. He used get involved in the mind games and lost a few real games because of that. This team under Ponting seems more professional and more brutal, but at the same time, remain (at times) overly respectful of the opposition.

[*Ben*]

The aussies wont underestimate the pakistanies simply bacause the last time they underestimated a team they lost and then a number 11 scored 44 in the second game so do not underestimate anyone in world cricket, even bangladesh (who is goin to be the first team to lose to them)

[Shaka]

Lillee is right not to count out Pakistan because they have 4-5 players who can turn a match in an instant. Shoaib, Sami and Kaneria are all dangerous if somewhat fitful performers with the ball. The Pakistani batting line up is too raw and inexperienced to put up a decent total in Perth though, so unless Pakistan go with a brave bowling line up and include one of the new pacers with the view to bowling Australia out cheaply, I can't see how Pakistan can match up with this line up. Would love to have seen Umar Gul or Shabbir Ahmed in Perth though. Then the Aussie batting line up would have had something to think about.