This is Pakistan’s Second Successive Win In Tests Against Australia
After a convincing first Test victory over Australia, Pakistan will go into the 2nd Test at Abu Dhabi, starting in three days’ time on a new high, seeking to win the Test series. On the other hand, Australia have a lot to think about before turning up for the game. On a track, expected to offer a little less spin, Australia will have to revisit their strategy and look for other options after an extremely disappointing performance in the first Test
Australia started the final day of the first Test, facing an uphill task of saving the match from a rather unlikely position. Both Chris Rogers and Steve Smith offered resistance and played out the first hour with little difficulty. In the 41st over of the innings, Imran Khan got one to reverse swing, which brought about the demise of Chris Rogers, who made a patient 43. The debutant, Mitchell Marsh, was the next to come in and go out, playing straight into the hands of Azhar Ali off Zulfiqar Babar for 3. Brad Haddin was the next wicket to fall after he misread the straighter one from Zulfiqar Babar, resulting in his stumps being rattled. He failed to trouble the scorers.
Next to join a fairly settled Steve Smith was Mitchell Johnson. With runs under his belt in the first innings, much was expected of him. Both he and Steve Smith battled hard and frustrated the Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan were dropping chances and the dressing room seemed concerned.
Steve Smith brought up his fighting half century. A few overs before the tea interval, his resistance ended, when he edged one towards Asad Shafiq off Yasir Shah. He made 55 runs. Mitchell Johnson continued to play with a never-give-up attitude and brought up his very unlike-Johnson half century, facing 110 balls. Pakistan went into tea on a high, needing just two wickets to pocket the first Test match.
Peter Siddle was offering his new-ball partner, Mitchell Johnson, ample support to start thinking of what seemed to be a very unlikely draw before the first ball of the day was bowled. Yasir Shah was brought into the attack and in only his second over, he provided Pakistan with another much-needed breakthrough, this time of Mitchell Johnson for 61.
Steve O’Keefe was the last batsman to walk in and with Peter Siddle alongside him, it looked like a mere formality. Zulfiqar Babar bagged his 5th wicket of the innings and that of Peter Siddle to earn Pakistan a Test match victory over Australia, which also meant they now can’t lose the 2-match series. This was also the first time since 1982 that Pakistan were able to win two successive Tests against Australia. Their last win against them came at Leeds in 2010.
Credit: PakPassion
