Pakistan v Australia report card: Aussies fight back but hosts remain in control

Alex Broun 18:54 08/10/2018
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  • during day one of the First Test match in the series between Australia and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    After day one moved at a snail’s pace, there was more excitement on day two of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai with seven wickets falling for 257 runs.

    Following on from Mohammad Hafeez’s superb comeback century on the first day the star of the day with the bat was 29-year-old Haris Sohail, who – playing in just his sixth Test – scored a fine 110.

    Sohail was made to work hard by an Australian bowling attack that showed impressive consistency through 165 long overs in the field and eventually got their reward picking up the last six Pakistan wickets for just 72.

    Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur will be cursing a couple of needless run outs which gave Australia a glimmer of hope when the hosts were on track for a huge first innings total.

    With the hosts dismissed for 482 and Australia 30 without loss at the end of day two, much will depend on how the pitch holds together in the next three days and the havoc Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah can wreak.

    Pakistan centurion Haris Sohail

    Pakistan centurion Haris Sohail

    THE GOOD

    Haris Sohail’s cover drives – In just his sixth Test the left hander brought up his maiden century with a sparkling array of drives off the Aussie pacemen. With so little bounce in the track it meant the 29-year-old could get forward with confidence and he dispatched the Australians regularly with two perfectly executed cover drives off Peter Siddle standing tall as the shots of the day.

    Aussie stamina – 165 overs is a long time in the field for any team, especially in the Dubai late summer heat; Pakistan’s innings was the fifth longest in UAE history. But the Aussies toiled away manfully, probing for any chink in Pakistan’s armour. Importantly they found a final burst of energy to roll out the last three Pakistan batsmen for just 12 runs, regaining some control in a match that was slipping completely out of reach. Coach Justin Langer will be very pleased with his side’s fitness levels.

    THE BAD

    Pakistan run outs – Coach Arthur was fuming after two run outs robbed his team of an even greater first innings total. Firstly Pakistan were coasting along at 418-5 when Haris Sohail needlessly called Babar Azam through for a risky single. Then on 480 Sarfraz Ahmed dawdled on his way for a relatively easy run allowing Aaron Finch to throw him out at the non-striker’s end. It reduced a likely score of 550 plus to 482.

    Starc accuracy – It’s very rare that Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc bowls 36 overs without getting a wicket. The NSW left armer generated some good pace on Monday but he got precious little assistance from the wicket and his radar was definitely off allowing the Pakistan batsmen to pick him off for 90 runs. On the plus side he showed there are certainly no doubts about his fitness levels, and he finally picked up a wicket in his 37th over, but his line needs to be better in the second dig.

    Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his first test wicket.

    Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his first Test wicket.

    KEY MOMENTS

    143.4 Labuschagne surprises Shafiq Pakistan were cruising along at 410-4 with Shafiq on 80 and Sohail on 87, the pair putting together a partnership of exactly 150. Then out of nowhere Test debutant Marnus Labuschagne got one of his leggies to turn and Shafiq got an outside edge snapped up sharply by keeper-captain Tim Paine. It opened the door a little for Australia and Pakistan lost their next five wickets quickly.

    146.4 Sohail runs out Azam Pakistan were still in control at 418-5 with the dangerous Azam joining Sohail at the crease. But in a moment of madness Sohail called through Azam for a risky single and Labuschagne did the rest with a pinpoint throw from cover. Another huge momentum swing to the Aussies.

    155.3 Nathan Lyon nicks out Sohail After an impressive maiden century the left hander was looking to take Pakistan past the 500 mark but the Aussie off-spinner skidded one through outside the off-stump, Paine taking another sharp catch.

    KEY TURNING POINT

    Pakistan up the run rate

    The hosts seem determined just to occupy the crease for the first part of the day with Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq crawling along in the first session; Sohail scoring 46 runs of a mammoth 132 balls (SR: 34.85) by lunch and Shafiq 43 off 82 balls (52.44). But they were clearly told to pick it up after lunch with Sohail scoring his next 64 runs off just 108 balls (SR: 59.26). This was aided by captain Sarfraz Ahmed who scored a brisk 15 off 28 balls and Bilal Asif with 12 off 22.

    VERDICT

    Pakistan B +

    The hosts would have hoped for at least 500 on the board. They were superbly poised at 410-4 and then let the momentum slip to lose the last six wickets for just 72 and give Australia some breathing space. Need to bowl well on Tuesday.

    Australia A 

    The Aussies must be admired for the way they kept the pressure throughout Pakistan’s innings – all 165 overs of it – and did not let the hosts take the game out of reach. It’s all over to the batsman now and Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja have started well.

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