Twitter Reactions: Gritty Australia halted Pakistan to a draw

Tease them, abuse them, mock them, call them a depleted side, but you can’t get the Aussie spirit out of them. Pakistan dominated the first Test against Australia and was on the verge of a victory. But the Kangaroos stood up and stole the show to halt the opposition to a draw.

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan put up a strong show in the first innings. They scored 482 runs on the back of centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail and fifties from Asad Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq. The comeback man – Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers as he bagged 3 wickets.

Australia, in reply, had a tremendous opening stand. Usman Khawaja scored half-centuries and added 142 runs for the 1st wicket. But post their departures, the batting line-up crumbled and the side was bowled out for 202. The debutant Bilal Asif took 6 wickets while Mohammad Abbas claimed 4.

Rather than enforcing the follow-on, Pakistan opted to bat again. They declared after scoring 181/6 which meant Australia had a daunting target of 462 runs. Once again, the Aussie openers were gutsy and shared a stand of 87. All of a sudden, 3 wickets fell for the same score and Pakistan was in the driver’s seat.

Advertisements

But Khawaja was adamant and alongside the debutant Travis Head who scored 72, led the Aussie fight. The 4th wicket stand added 132 runs. Khawaja went on to score 141 and kept the hopes for a draw alive. After his dismissal, Pakistan came storming back and the visitors were down to 333/8.

More than 12 overs were remaining on the last day and Pakistan needed just 2 more wickets to win. The Australian captain Tim Paine was still there alongside Nathan Lyon. The duo weathered the storm and didn’t let the opposition dismiss them. Paine stayed unbeaten at 72 off 175 balls while Lyon lasted 34 deliveries for 5 runs as Australia enforced a draw to leave the opposition wanting.

Match Summary

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first

Advertisements

Pakistan 1st innings: 482/10 in 164.2 overs

Mohammad Hafeez 126 (208), Haris Sohail 110 (240)

Peter Siddle 58/3 (29), Nathan Lyon 114/2 (52)

Australia 1st innings: 202/10 in 83.3 overs

Advertisements

Usman Khawaja 85 (175), Aaron Finch 62 (161)

Bilal Asif 36/6 (21.3), Mohammad Abbas 29/4 (19)

Pakistan 2nd innings: 181/6 declared in 57.5 overs

Imam-ul-Haq 48 (104), Asad Shafiq 41 (56)

Jon Holland 83/3 (20), Nathan Lyon 58/2 (25.5)

Australia 2nd innings: 362/8 in 139.5 overs

Usman Khawaja 141 (302), Travis Head 72 (175)

Yasir Shah 114/4 (43.5), Mohammad Abbas 56/3 (27)

Match Drawn

Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja

 

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the spirit of Australia

https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1050376820980236288

https://twitter.com/patcummins30/status/1050376771319693312

https://twitter.com/shaun_tait32/status/1050376501881798656

https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1050376550791569409

 

 

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you

Tease them, abuse them, mock them, call them a depleted side, but you can't get the Aussie spirit out of them. Pakistan dominated the first Test against Australia and was on the verge of a victory. But the Kangaroos stood up and stole the show to halt the opposition to a draw. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan put up a strong show in the first innings. They scored 482 runs on the back of centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail and fifties from Asad Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq. The comeback man - Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers as he bagged 3 wickets. Australia, in reply, had a tremendous opening stand. Usman Khawaja scored half-centuries and added 142 runs for the 1st wicket. But post their departures, the batting line-up crumbled and the side was bowled out for 202. The debutant Bilal Asif took 6 wickets while Mohammad Abbas claimed 4. Rather than enforcing the follow-on, Pakistan opted to bat again. They declared after scoring 181/6 which meant Australia had a daunting target of 462 runs. Once again, the Aussie openers were gutsy and shared a stand of 87. All of a sudden, 3 wickets fell for the same score and Pakistan was in the driver's seat. But Khawaja was adamant and alongside the debutant Travis Head who scored 72, led the Aussie fight. The 4th wicket stand added 132 runs. Khawaja went on to score 141 and kept the hopes for a draw alive. After his dismissal, Pakistan came storming back and the visitors were down to 333/8. More than 12 overs were remaining on the last day and Pakistan needed just 2 more wickets to win. The Australian captain Tim Paine was still there alongside Nathan Lyon. The duo weathered the storm and didn't let the opposition dismiss them. Paine stayed unbeaten at 72 off 175 balls while Lyon lasted 34 deliveries for 5 runs as Australia enforced a draw to leave the opposition wanting.

Match Summary

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first Pakistan 1st innings: 482/10 in 164.2 overs Mohammad Hafeez 126 (208), Haris Sohail 110 (240) Peter Siddle 58/3 (29), Nathan Lyon 114/2 (52) Australia 1st innings: 202/10 in 83.3 overs Usman Khawaja 85 (175), Aaron Finch 62 (161) Bilal Asif 36/6 (21.3), Mohammad Abbas 29/4 (19) Pakistan 2nd innings: 181/6 declared in 57.5 overs Imam-ul-Haq 48 (104), Asad Shafiq 41 (56) Jon Holland 83/3 (20), Nathan Lyon 58/2 (25.5) Australia 2nd innings: 362/8 in 139.5 overs Usman Khawaja 141 (302), Travis Head 72 (175) Yasir Shah 114/4 (43.5), Mohammad Abbas 56/3 (27) Match Drawn Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja  

Here's how Twitter reacted to the spirit of Australia

https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1050379331543998469 https://twitter.com/stevesmith49/status/1050377238384762882 https://twitter.com/TomMoodyCricket/status/1050376921396047872 https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1050376820980236288 https://twitter.com/patcummins30/status/1050376771319693312 https://twitter.com/shaun_tait32/status/1050376501881798656 https://twitter.com/r_harris413/status/1050376277775900673 https://twitter.com/darren_lehmann/status/1050342105141235712 https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1050376550791569409 https://twitter.com/JunaidkhanREAL/status/1050378970791890944 https://twitter.com/calferguson12/status/1050377545936297984 https://twitter.com/DeepDasgupta7/status/1050377367544197121     Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram