Yousuf fancies Pakistan's chances

Mohammad Yousuf
12 April 2012

Stand-in Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has boldly predicted that his talented attack can bowl out Australia twice in a match ahead of their three-Test series opener in Melbourne beginning on Boxing Day.

Yousuf's optimism might be justified considering paceman Mohammad Asif and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria starred in the recently-drawn three-Test series against the Black Caps in New Zealand. The pair claimed 32 wickets between them to be first (19) and third (13) respectively on the series' wicket-takers list.

With the likes of Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer supporting Asif in the pace department, and Saeed Ajmal on call with his off-spin, Yousuf declared: "Yes, we have a very good bowling side, we can take 20 wickets in a Test."

He added: "We have to play good cricket for five days. This is not Twenty20 cricket, it is five-day cricket, at least 30 hours playing good cricket against any team."

However, the Pakistan captain knows his batsmen will also have to carry their weight.

Yousuf scored 111 when he last played at the MCG and he hopes to at least match that effort this time around.

"I will try for the same performance. I will try ... I will try for 300," he quipped.

Pakistan's selectors have yet to finalise the team that will tackle Australia in the Boxing Day Test but if it were up to Yousuf, who confirmed Gul was fit to play after a knee scare, not much tinkering would occur.

"So far I'm very happy with the team from the past three Test matches, we played good cricket (in New Zealand) and I am pleased with the way we played," he said.

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