One of the biggest strengths for Pakistan in their Test history has been their pace attack. In almost any era, they have had two world-class fast bowlers in their line-up, with the support cast being more than adequate as well. These bowlers have had the skills to conquer most conditions, whether they be the seamer-friendly conditions of England and New Zealand, or the dry pitches of the subcontinent. However, the one country where they havent always worked their magic is Australia: in all Tests in Australia, Pakistans fast bowlers have averaged 38.54, which is their poorest among all countries. Their overall average in all countries is 30.49, which means their performance in Australia is about 26% poorer than their overall numbers. The numbers have especially nosedived over the last three series that Pakistan have played in Australia: they have lost each of nine Tests in these series, and the relative lack of success for the fast bowlers has played a big part in these results.Any analysis of Pakistans bowling performances must also factor in a few dropped catches, which can sometimes make a huge difference to the bowling averages, but even so, the numbers dont paint a pretty picture for Pakistans pace attack: in the last nine Tests in Australia, they have conceded nearly 46 runs per wicket, which, again, is their worst in any country in the last 18 years. They also havent done so well in South Africa, averaging 39.06, which suggests they tend to struggle on pitches which offer more bounce. In all countries other than Australia, India and South Africa, they have conceded fewer than 34 runs per wicket. A look at the stats of some of the top Pakistan fast bowlers overall and in Australia reveals significant difference in the averages, especially for the two bowlers who were arguably the fastest of the lot. Shoaib Akhtar took only 17 wickets in six Tests in Australia and averaged 43.52, while Waqar Younis, in seven Tests, had 14 wickets at 40.50. Both did far better when not playing in Australia - they had career averages in the 20s - and the difference in averages for them was more than 16.The numbers arent as skewed for the rest, though most of them have done better outside Australia. Imran Khan had a career average of 22.81, and while his numbers in Australia were pretty impressive too - he averaged 28.51 - it was still his poorest average in any country.The two bowlers who did as well or better in Australia, compared to their career numbers, were Wasim Akram and Sarfraz Nawaz. Akram played three series in Australia, and was outstanding in two of them: in 1989-90, he took 17 wickets in three Tests at 18.70, and in 1995-96 he nabbed 14 wickets at 19.50. He was past his prime by the time the 1999-2000 series came along, but his overall average in Australia is still an impressive 24.05.Sarfrazs single defining bowling performance came in Australia, when he destroyed them in Melbourne, taking 9 for 86 in a matchwinning performance in 1979. He didnt take another five-wicket haul in Australia, but he was consistently among the wickets, and remains the only Pakistan bowler to take 50 Test wickets in Australia. Australias batsmen have always been among the better players of fast bowling, especially in terms of back-foot play on bouncy pitches. Also, conditions in Australia dont usually support swing bowling, so it isnt surprising that Pakistans pace attack havent been as successful here as in some other parts of the world. It is surprising, though, that Pakistan have been so poor in Australia, especially recently. South Africa and England have done much better recently, while even Indias fast bowlers have a marginally better average.However, its also true that Australia has been a pretty tough place for overseas fast bowlers over the last couple of decades. Since 1999, Australias fast bowlers have averaged 27 in home conditions, while the other teams put together have averaged 43.57. Given Pakistans pace pedigree over the years, though, youd still expect them to do better than average almost 46 runs per wicket, no matter how tough the conditions.Even with the undoubted class of Yasir Shah, Pakistan will still need better stats from their quick bowlers this time around if they are to avoid the debacle of the last three tours. All stats exclude the ongoing Australia-Pakistan Test at the Gabba. Wholesale NCAA Football Jerseys . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Clearance College Jerseys Online .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. http://www.jerseysncaacheap.com/ . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Cheap College Basketball Jerseys . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Each week, ESPN.com writer Brett Okamoto provides his take on the hottest topics in the world of mixed martial arts.This week, Okamoto squares off with UFC lightweight contender Michael Johnson?to discuss all things MMA. Johnson (16-10), headlines Saturdays UFC Fight Night card in Hidalgo, Texas, against Dustin Poirier (20-4).?1.?What is the final say on CM Punks UFC debut: inspirational or a joke?Johnson:?I cant sit here and watch what CM Punk did and call it inspirational. Yes, he went in there and fought a UFC fight, but I think he should have tested himself somewhere else before going in and giving a performance like that. Mickey Gall didnt even really do much. He took Punk right down and controlled him, and I think CM Punk didnt know what to expect once he started getting punched. To get an opportunity like that [and] fight for the biggest promotion -- thats a blessing. People work their entire life to get to that point and never do, and he was just given it. To go out there and perform like that? Thats not inspirational.Okamoto:?This topic has been beaten into the ground the last three days. To sum my thoughts up one more time: Punk won me over. Maybe Im being gullible, but I believe his interest in this sport was (and still is) genuine. I think the UFC saw an opportunity to monetize his debut and offered him a deal anyone in his position would have accepted. You cant fault Punk for taking a golden opportunity. I also think he looked very bad in his debut -- so bad the UFC cant justify giving him a second shot. I hope months from now we hear about Punk fighting with some random independent promotion, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, taking a fight against a similarly skilled opponent. He always said he was doing this for himself and no one else. Thatd be the way to prove it.2.?No UFC heavyweight champion has ever defended a title more than twice consecutively. Will Stipe Miocic become the first?Johnson:?Yes, I think Stipe will defend it more than twice. Its his attitude. The way hes approaching his last few fights and approaching the game, it just seems like he has no pressure on him. Thats very dangerous for opponents, when a fighter comes in and doesnt have any worries, just a great camp. I think thats what is setting him aside from everyone else right now.Okamoto:?Man, history says no -- and how can you disagree with history? Miocic is the 17th heavyweight champion in UFC history. There have definitely been champs before him I thought were up to the task, and they all fell. Not to mention, 2016 has been the year of fallen champs. I agree 100 percent with what Johnson said about Miocics demeanor. Hes a very comfortable champion. Hes got a lot of self-belief and his pulse never seems to go up, regardless of his surroundings. I want to say yes on this, but I cant get over the fact weve been here before and no one has been able to do it. My final answer is no.3.?Will Alistair Overeem ever make it to a UFC title fight again?Johnson:?I dont think hell ever get back from that performance [his loss to Miocic on Saturday in UFC 203] ?and he doesnt deserve to, if you ask me. I dont know what you can even say about a performance like that. I think it was a huge letdown. To see a guy fight like that in a championship fight makes you wonder if he even deserved to be in that fight. We all saw him running around. Thats not what people want to see. Alistair comes from a background as a great striker -- thats what people expected to see. They didnt expect to seee him turn his back and run from Stipe.dddddddddddd I dont know if that was his game plan, to try and lure Stipe into something -- we saw Overeem drop Stipe once -- but after that it didnt work, and I thought he fought really scared. I dont think he deserves another shot at all.Okamoto:?This is a tough one. I worry about Overeems ability to take a shot. You saw it at UFC 203. He was in control of that fight against Miocic and then, in a matter of milliseconds, he wasnt. A lot of that had to with durability. Miocic got dropped by a clean left hand, but he recovered quickly. Overeem, on the other hand, took a couple combinations and never looked the same. It seemed that he needed the bell to save him as soon as he took his first shot. That doesnt bode well in the heavyweight division, but at the same time, theres no denying Overeems skill. A bounce-back of two or three wins in a row is very feasible. Ill actually say yes here, but its not a very confident answer.4.?Who should be the next heavyweight title challenger: Fabricio Werdum or Cain Velasquez?Johnson:?Its Cain Velasquez, in my opinion. Werdum suffered a knockout to Stipe [in May at UFC 198] and I dont think Werdums performance against Travis Browne was good enough to make him the No. 1 contender. I think Stipe vs. Cain is a great matchup. I think Cain will press him Stipe and try to take him down, while throwing heavy hands. The way Stipe moves around, it seems hes really finding his niche -- his game -- right now. I would definitely go with Stipe in that matchup. I think his movement and punching ability would favor him.Okamoto:?I agree its Velasquez. Werdum is ranked higher, so if he is jumped by Velasquez, Werdum will have a legitimate gripe. But even so, doesnt it still strangely feel like Velasquez is the man to beat in this division? Dont get me wrong, Miocic is the champ and the undisputed No. 1 heavyweight, but theres still that feeling of, Well, if Cain could only stay healthy. Hes healthy now and coming off a very Cain-like performance at UFC 200. The time to book that fight is now. If we know anything about Velasquez, its that he might not be healthy for long. Book that fight while the opportunity exists.5.?What is the best sleeper fight at Saturdays UFC Fight Night card in Hidalgo, Texas?Johnson:?Im gonna say featherweights?Chas Skelly [15-2] and Maximo Blanco [12-7-1]. Chas has been down here at Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, training with us. Ive seen how dedicated he is. Hes really tough, and I dont think many people are watching this card to see this fight. Its a sleeper.Okamoto:?You could probably call the main event a sleeper if you wanted, as this entire event is flying under the radar. I actually like Johnsons pick a lot. Skelly will likely look to use his wrestling against Blanco, who I think will be able to stuff plenty of those attempts and look to make Skelly pay for it. It looks like a potentially high-action fight. Ill also mention lightweights?Islam Makhachev?and?Chris Wade. Makhachev is a 24-year-old prospect with a lot of promise, but hes coming off a very ugly loss in his last fight, plus a situation with the United States Anti-Doping Agency in which he was pulled from an event in April but later cleared of any wrongdoing. Ive heard plenty of positive reviews about Makhachevs potential, and he has a legitimate test in front of him in Wade. ' ' '