Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann said Wednesday Pakistan remain tough opponents despite the loss of offspinner Saeed Ajmal, thanks to their ability to unearth exciting new talent in big series.
His comments came as the two sides prepare to face off in the United Arab Emirates, with a single Twenty20 on Sunday followed by three one-dayers and two Tests.
For Pakistan, it is the first series in five years without Ajmal named in the squad, after the talismanic bowler was suspended for chucking last month as part of a crackdown by the International Cricket Council.
In addition to being ranked the world’s best bowler in one-day cricket, Ajmal is also the highest wicket-taker in T20s, with 85 scalps.
But Lehmann said Pakistan had a history of finding new prospects.
“We can’t be worried too much what’s going on with Pakistan, who they are putting, we have studied their side but history shows they always manage to pull some very good players from somewhere, young players, so they have got some exciting talent,” said Lehmann.
Speaking to the media after the team’s first training session, Lehmann said the players were doing their best to acclimatize to the stifling desert heat.
