Shaun Tait Hails Pakistan's Pace-Spin Balance After 2-from-2 Tri-Series Start
Pakistan's bowling coach Shaun Tait is a happy man. After back-to-back wins to open the ODI tri-series — first a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka, then an 87-run thrashing of England in Rawalpindi — the former Australia quick told PCB Digital on Thursday that his attack's pace-spin balance is the engine room of the perfect start.
"The bowling has been really encouraging so far," Tait said. "It is a great way to start the series against two quality teams with some very good players. England have a formidable batting line-up, so to bowl the way we did against them was really pleasing. We have a nice balance between pace and spin and both departments are complementing each other really well."
"It is also pleasing for me personally because the fast-bowling group is very similar to the one I worked with when I was Pakistan's bowling coach four years ago. Haris, Shaheen, Naseem and Faheem were all part of that group, so it is nice to link up with them again."
Domestic Overs Paying Off
Tait, in his second stint with the Pakistan side, also credited the domestic first-class matches his quicks played before the series: "I definitely think playing one or two domestic matches before an international series has been a big help. It allows the bowlers to get some overs under their belts, build up their bowling workload and then freshen up before the international matches begin."
| Match | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Rawalpindi) | Pakistan won | 37 runs |
| Pakistan vs England (Rawalpindi) | Pakistan won | 87 runs |
| Sri Lanka vs England (Rawalpindi, today) | In progress | — |
| Pakistan vs England (Lahore, Oct 25) | Upcoming | — |
What's Next
The squad travelled from Rawalpindi to Lahore on Wednesday evening and was given Thursday off. Training resumes on Friday ahead of the second meeting with England on Sunday, October 25 in Lahore — a chance for Pakistan to make it three from three and tighten their grip on a final berth. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and England were battling it out in Rawalpindi on Thursday in a match both sides had to win after opening defeats.
Two games, two wins, and a bowling coach beaming about balance. If the pace-spin combination keeps clicking like this, Pakistan will take some stopping in this tri-series.