Pakistan could be set to name young spinner Raza Hasan for his debut for the crucial second one-day international against Australia on Friday.
Australia will clinch victory in the series if they can win game two in Dubai, having crushed the host side by 93 runs in the opening clash in Sharjah on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Hasan, a left-armer who claimed 2-17 off four tidy overs in last weekend’s Twenty20 game in Dubai against Australia, didn’t play in the Sharjah match because of a shoulder injury.
“Raza is okay,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said on Thursday.
“He had a full session yesterday and today also he is bowling so he is fit.”
Misbah said his side were desperate to have a good series against Australia, who will co-host the World Cup with New Zealand in February-March 2015.
“It is very important to level the series in the second match, for the sake of saving the series, for the sake of the team,” the skipper said.
“Winning is always very important and it is more important with the World Cup coming. A win puts all the things in the right place.”
While the possible inclusion of Hasan may strengthen Pakistan’s attack on a pitch likely to assist the slow bowlers, the home side cannot hope to win many ODI matches with totals like the 162 they produced on Tuesday.
“It is not that they lack the ability,” said Misbah, who was a key offender on Tuesday with a first-ball duck.
“At the moment the confidence is shaky.
“We are just one good innings away from that and one good game. One good win will bring that back.”
Australia’s spinners Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets each on Tuesday while paceman Mitchell Johnson (3-24) also troubled Pakistan.
Misbah says Pakistan are getting a taste of their own medicine as Australia’s spinners start to dominate.
“Yes you are right. We are getting that,” told a media conference.
“But when when your confidence is bad even a straight ball becomes difficult for you. All these players have performed before but at the moment the confidence is not there.”
