Pakistan put their nightmare Asia Cup campaign firmly behind them as they reached 255-3 on the opening day of the first Test against Australia on Sunday.
Batting first in pristine batting conditions, returning batsman Mohammad Hafeez hit his 10th Test century, finishing on 126, while fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq made his best score of 76 as Sarfraz Ahmed’s openers added 205.
Australia went in with three debutants in their first Test series since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March. However, while the ball did all sorts in South Africa, in the UAE it did nothing for them in the first two sessions.
The Aussies went in with just two seam bowling options in Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle and had to soon resort to the part-time leg spin of debutant Marnus Labuschagne. They gained some reverse swing towards the end of the day’s play to lift their morale on a tough Day One in Dubai.
THE GOOD
Hafeez back in the mix – Pakistan all-rounder Hafeez had found himself out of contention Tests and ODIs, not featuring in Tests since 2016 and getting dropped from the ODI side for the Asia Cup. It seemed like the end of the road. But a good run in first-class cricket, which included a double ton, and the simultaneous loss of form of opener Fakhar Zaman and skipper Sarfraz in the Asia Cup expedited his return.
On the first day of his Test return, Hafeez batted as if he had never left. He kept pushing the scoring rate and was not afraid to take his chances. First innings total is critical in UAE and the 37-year-old gave Pakistan a big edge with his 10th Test ton.
Hafeez scored a commanding ton.
Starc’s persistence – It is not easy being a genuine fast bowler in such conditions. Temperatures remained around 37 degree Celsius and the pitch had next to no pace or carry. Even the ball didn’t get scuffed up enough for it to reverse in the first two sessions. But Mitchell Starc ran in all day and tried to get the ball to bend from round the wicket. He got numerous edges off Hafeez’s bat but the ball either died down or found the tiniest of gaps behind square. It was a heroic effort nonetheless.
THE BAD
Australia’s selection – Granted, Australia are without the banned Steve Smith and David Warner while pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are still nursing injuries. But even so, playing a Test on a placid UAE wicket without a recognised wrist spinner was a poor move. Lyon needed some support and Jon Holland simply didn’t offer enough on a Day One pitch. A proper wrist spinner would have been a better option and the Aussies looked one bowler short.
Lyon was the best spinner on show.
The crowd – It was a working day in the UAE and Test cricket anyhow doesn’t attract a lot of people in most countries. But just days after a thrilling 50-over Asia Cup in the UAE, reality hit home. Barely 200 people turned up for the match and since there won’t be any weekend during the match, the stadium is likely to remain almost empty. Not a good advertisement for Test cricket.
KEY MOMENTS
44.5 Hafeez dropped – Opener Hafeez was batting on 74 when he charged at Holland and sliced the ball down the ground where a running Mitchell Marsh covered good ground but mistimed his jump to grass the opportunity. Hafeez went on to score 52 more runs and put Pakistan in total control.
62.6 Lyon gets Imam – Off-spinner Lyon was getting some turn but it was slow. He was still the best bowler on show and he forced the left-hander to late cut a quickish delivery to catch the edge behind. The 205-run opening stand was finally broken.
Siddle got reverse swing in the final session.
69.3 Reverse swing appears – Siddle was getting the ball to move a long way and it was clearly reversing towards the end of the day’s play. Hafeez first almost chopped one on before falling lbw to an in-swinger.
KEY TURNING POINT
Pakistan winning the toss
Batting first is so important on slow pitches. The ball hardly does anything on the opening day and putting up a big total in the first outing is important. Sarfraz did his job perfectly, giving his openers a chance to pile on the runs. It’s as if the Asia Cup didn’t happen.
VERDICT
Pakistan B+
Yes the hosts had a 200-run opening stand but they scored at less than three an over in the day’s play. The openers set the stage for a big reply from Pakistan’s batsmen but once they fell in succession, the scoring rate dipped as Australia’s bowlers found reverse, spin and rhythm. A good effort anyhow.
Australia B
Nothing went their way for the first two sessions as Australia failed to pick up a wicket. But the effort was always there. And once the ball started to reverse in the final session, they turned on the screws to keep the Baggy Greens in the hunt. Still a chance of restricting Pakistan to under 350.
