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Pakistan laugh off fast WACA fears

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez says his team will try to maintain their aggressive approach in their third ODI clash with Australia at the WACA Ground.

Stand-in Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has laughed off talk his team might struggle with the WACA's pace. (AAP)

Stand-in Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has laughed off talk his team might struggle to cope with the the WACA's pace and bounce in Thursday's ODI clash with Australia.

Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood is hoping for a traditionally quick Perth wicket, saying: "We know their batters don't like that extra bounce and pace".

Pakistan are renowned for their ability to play spin - but facing quicks on lively decks is a different story.

With the five-match ODI series locked at 1-1, Hafeez couldn't help but chuckle when told about Hazlewood's comments.

"I can only laugh on it," Hafeez said.

"We are very much ready for that. That pace and bounce won't make any difference."

Pakistan were expected to field the same side who beat Australia by six wickets on Sunday at the MCG.

Skipper Azhar Ali will miss his second straight match with a hamstring injury, leaving Hafeez to again fill in as captain.

Pakistan's hopes of victory were given a boost when Australia confirmed pace ace Mitchell Starc (rested) wouldn't play in Perth along with injured allrounder Mitch Marsh (shoulder).

Billy Stanlake replaces Starc, while debutant Peter Handscomb will fill the void left by Marsh.

Australia's top order is under pressure to perform after crashing to 5-78 and 4-86 in the opening two games of the series.

Hafeez said his team's bowling unit were determined to maintain their same aggressive approach to try to put Australia under more pressure.

"In the last two games, our bowlers did a great job for us," Hafeez said.

"They took wickets at the right time. They put the opposition under tremendous pressure.

"We believe if we can take three or four wickets early on, that gives you more of a chance to attack on the opposition, and that's what our bowlers have done."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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