Pak needs 'big knocks' from senior players to avoid humiliation in Hobart Test: Alam

Hobart, Jan.15 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that Pakistan could still win the third and final Test against Australia if senior players deliver some big knocks.

Alam agreed that the hosts have placed themselves in a comfortable position by posting a huge first innings score, but expressed the hope that the Pakistani batsmen would reply solidly.

Australia had declared their first innings on 519 for eight. Captain Ricky Ponting scored a brilliant 209. He was ably supported by Michael Clarke who scored 166.

"It's far from over.There are still four more days to go in this Test. It's quite a flat wicket and I'm confident we will also score some runs here. What we need is a couple of big knocks from our senior players and then anything can happen," The News quoted Alam, as saying.

Replying to Australia's mammoth total Pakistan were 54 for no loss till the reports last came in. Pakistan is looking to salvage some pride by winning the third Test to avoid a 3-0 whitewash in the series.

Commenting on the performance of the Pakistani bowlers, Alam said that his bowlers were unable to give a consistent showing.

"We bowled well in patches, before tea we didn't bowl well at all. They got on top. After tea, half an hour again we had a problem. Then Kaneria switched ends and settled down. It is a very good batting track. I haven't seen a wicket like this. It was quite different when we last came here for the tour match (last month)," he added. (ANI)