By IANS,
Karachi : Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan Thursday said his team’s four-wicket triumph over Australia in the one-day series opener in Dubai would have been sweeter had it come on home soil.
“It was great to win against Australia,” Younis told Geo News after the win Wednesday night. “But we would have enjoyed the result a lot more had we been playing at home.”
Pakistan is hosting the April 22-May 7 series against Australia in United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of security problems at home. Australia had refused to tour Pakistan for the series even before last month’s terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore.
Younis was especially pleased with the performance of the bowlers who skittled out Australia for a paltry 168.
“To beat Australia, it was important for us to bowl well. My bowlers responded well to the challenge,” he said.
Shahid Afridi took 6-38 – his career-best figures – while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal chipped in with two wicket.
“The spinners did a great job,” said Younis. “But our fast bowlers also did well in the first 15 overs.”
Younis, however, said his team cannot afford to relax as Australia will come back stronger to fight their way back in the series.
“Australia is a very capable team so we will have to continue giving our best,” he said.