Hughes says Pakistan will be formidable foes in the series, starting in Melbourne from Dec 26, if skipper Mohammad Yousuf can gel his men as legendary Imran Khan once did.
‘I think we will see some wonderful cricket from them but their consistency is a worry,’ said Hughes, who suffered a 0-3 away Test series loss as skipper to Imran Khan’s side in 1982.
‘You need good, strong leadership. They have had more captains than pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, with the comings and goings. They need an Imran Khan, someone who is strong at the top.’
Hughes was impressed by emerging stars of Pakistan side, particularly middle-order batsman Umar Akmal.
The 19-year-old made 129 on debut against New Zealand at Dunedin last month and 379 runs at 63.1 for the series.
‘Umar looks a tremendously exciting player,’ said Hughes of Lahore prodigy, who is a younger brother of wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.
‘New Zealand are difficult at home and there is no doubt that two Akmal brothers –– Kamran and Umar –– are good.’
He suspects a Pakistan attack featuring pace pair of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir could trouble Australia, who may recall left-hander Phillip Hughes if skipper Ricky Ponting does not recover from an elbow injury.
‘Phil Hughes is a promising but with a severe technical deficiency he needs to overcome,’ the 70-Test Hughes said.
Pakistan might be cricket’s touring nomads but re-emergence of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and promising rookies mean Australia would be challenged in three Test series, Hughes said.
‘They have useful bowlers and produce wonderful cricketers. As far as producing sheer talent, Pakistan has some wonderful young talent and will test our blokes,’ he said.
‘If Australia has an edge it will be that they are more physically and mentally hardened.’—Agencies
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