The strategy had worked to perfection against another dominant left-handed scorer by the name of Alastair Cook BUT in the U.A.E.
Misbah was a very astute captain who was gifted with the ability of defensive warfare. However, he failed to take into account the distinct difference of terrane in Australia compared to that of the United Arab Emirates. Also, not being bold enough to take harsh decisions such as dropping YK or adding a pace-bowling all-rounder.
Where as in the UAE, the opposition looks to defend against the spin, slowly smothering it with a closed face of the bat, and grind out a two-per-over Run Rate over the course of two days (ideally), it is the opposite in Australia.
A lot of people will say that the pitches did not offer spin, which is true if compared to the ones in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. However, for a SCG or MCG pitch, it certainly offered enough turn and drift, as early as Day Three!
The difference was intent. Where as Cook would leave the occasional half-volley outside off-stump, Warner relished it as an opportunity to put pressure on Pakistan’s match-winner. He was relentless, scoring three centuries I believe along with Steve Smith. Part of the Australian plan for Yasir was to punish him for his negative line and score at least four or more runs-per-over.
Yet the most horrifying thing about the entire facade was Yasir publicly having to accept that he chose to bowl the leg-side line. As a professional leg-spin bowler for a decade, Yasir can understand comprehensively when a batsman is in rhythm against a certain line or length. For him to continue, would simply be against everything he has been taught and or practiced in his career. Yet he took it for his captain, proving his unwavering loyalty to him. Due to that unfateful tour, Yasir now averages close to 30 where as before he was averaging close to 26.
