2nd August 2006, 11:39
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PakPassion Administrator
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Debut: Oct 2004
Venue: Apnay ghar mai - aur kahan ?
Runs: 45,880
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Peiterson prepared for Pakistan backlash....[sportinglife.com]
Apparently he is expecting something nasty coming his team's way at Headingley..
Quote:
Pietersen Prepared For Pakistan Backlash
Wed 02 Aug, 5:09 AM
Kevin Pietersen is expecting Pakistan to produce a strong response to their three-day humiliation when the third npower Test starts at Headingley on Friday.
The Hampshire batsman and his England team-mates completed a ruthless innings-and-120-run triumph at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, earning themselves a precious few days off before they report for training in Leeds today.
Pietersen spent his time off relaxing in the Lake District and cutting himself off from the pressures of the series to such an extent he had to be informed former Nottinghamshire team-mate Chris Read had replaced Geraint Jones in the England squad a day after it was announced.
But Pietersen promises to be much more switched on to events at Headingley, where he expects Pakistan to bounce back strongly from their stunning defeat.
"I don't think they were unnerved by the defeat," stressed Pietersen.
"They are world-class players with fantastic averages and fantastic eyes.
"There's a bit of an advantage in winning like that, especially when you're playing again a few days later, but they are world-class players and you don't expect them to fail twice in a row in consecutive games."
Pietersen was particularly concerned about Pakistan's golden duo - captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf - who failed to register a half-century between them at Old Trafford.
But Pietersen does not expect that to continue in the remaining two Tests in the series, stressing: "Mohammad Yousuf got a double hundred at Lord's and didn't do as well as he would have liked in the last one.
"But you don't expect players like him and Inzamam to fail regularly and I'm sure they will bounce back."
While Pietersen is expecting Pakistan's golden pair to perform sooner rather than later, the same applies to his own form after six successive innings without reaching a half-century.
Such are the high standards he has set himself so far in his international career, Pietersen's recent run represents a slump for him.
The only other time he has suffered a similar run was when he went six innings without a half-century only to come out of the rut spectacularly with a brilliant 158 to help recapture the Ashes at The Oval.
"I've missed out in two Test matches now, so it would be nice to get some runs," he conceded.
"It would be nice to get a hundred and I know I'm training and doing everything I'm supposed to do to prepare as best I can.
"If it happens it happens, but if it doesn't I'm sure it's around the corner somewhere."
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