Veteran Australian spinner Adam Zampa has moved to quell concerns following the national team’s 22-run defeat to Pakistan in a T20 World Cup warm-up match in Lahore. While the loss exposed batting vulnerabilities on a challenging pitch, Zampa emphasized the unique and alien nature of the conditions, particularly for the squad’s younger members.
The match saw Australia restricted to 8-146 while chasing Pakistan’s total. Zampa himself was a standout with the ball, delivering impressive figures of 4-24. However, the team’s momentum was derailed by an untimely run-out involving Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw, allowing Pakistan’s spinners to seize control of the game’s middle overs.
Zampa provided a candid assessment of the playing surface, describing it as unusually dry and inconsistent with previous tours. “The wicket got lower and slower throughout the match,” he noted, suggesting the optimal batting period was confined to the early phases of each innings. He framed the difficult conditions as a valuable learning experience, especially for the three T20 debutants in the side, stating that such exposure would benefit their long-term development.
The spinner also addressed the broader strategy for the upcoming World Cup, highlighting the critical role spin bowling will play in the initial stage in Sri Lanka. He predicted a significant shift in conditions upon moving to India for the latter stages of the tournament, anticipating higher-scoring games on more batsman-friendly wickets.
In a personal triumph, Zampa discussed the satisfaction of dismissing Pakistani batting maestro Babar Azam, who was recently subdued in the Big Bash League. Zampa acknowledged Azam’s caliber but expressed confidence in his ability to claim such key wickets, affirming that it is his primary role within the team.