PITCHES LIKE KOLKATA WON'T HELP INDIA ON AUSTRALIA TOUR: LAWSON
Kolkata, Dec 4: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said pitches like the one prepared at the Eden Gardens for the second Test would not help India as they prepare for the upcoming tour to Australia. "Australia will be tough. Anybody touring Australia will find it tough because Australia is the best side for a lot of reasons. Playing on pitches like that will not prepare them for Australia," the former pace bowler said
"The pitches in Australia recently have been good batting pitches; they haven't helped the bowlers too much, so that might help the Indians. But the bounce will be different and you got to play a different sort of game," Lawson said.
Talking about the Test which ended today, the Pakistan coach praised his team for showing character in the face of adversity in denying India victory. "Our team showed character. Character is the right word for the way we came back after being in trouble in both the innings. Three batsmen brought us back. It's an achievement to get out with a draw," Lawson said at the post-match media conference after the Test ended in a draw.
Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul Haq struck hundreds in the first innings while skipper Younis Khan played a match-saving century knock in the second innings. The former Aussie pacer said Pakistan benefited from the experience of Younis and Mohammad Yousuf who stitched together an unfinished 136-run fifth wicket stand.
"We had people down the order who have batted for long hours and our two experienced batsmen delivered. We are still in the series. In matches like this, you learn a lot," he said.