It was Confucius who opined that “success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure”.
Individuals and sporting teams have been successful by accident, but sustainable success is achieved through meticulous planning, preparation and execution.
The last time Pakistan won a Test Down Under was in late 1995 when nearly half of the current side were not even born, and in Pat Cummins-led Australia, they face the reigning world Test champions.
Pakistan’s unpredictability means they can never be ruled out but their chaotic buildup to the series makes the tourists tough to back in Australia.
Masood inherited the Test captaincy from Babar Azam, who stepped down as all-formats skipper last month in the wake of their failure to make the semi-finals of the 50-overs World Cup in India.
