Asad played an unbelievable innings: Steve Smith

Australia and Pakistan playing their first day-night Test against each other at the Gabba, Brisbane proved to be an exciting Test match that swung either side. While Australia batted exceptionally in the first innings and bowled out Pakistan cheap in their first knock, Steve Smith decided to bat again and ask the visitors to chase 490 runs in the last couple of days of the Test match. Pakistan showed immense character on the fourth day and continued the fight on the last morning to almost defy Australia.

The hosts won the game but Asad Shafiq was awarded the Man of the Match. “I was hitting the ball well in the nets. A matter of time before I had a good innings. (the tail) showed a lot of courage and funk. We almost chased 490, because of our tail. There was energy (in the morning), thinking we had to go for a match. I was not expecting that from Starc, he bowled a couple of really good spells.” He said.

It was a nail-biting finish and imagine the condition of Smith, he would have had thoughts like we should have batted for a few more overs, what do I do now, who should I give the ball. But in the end it was Mitchell Starc who got him the wicket and it ended the way, they would have liked to. Steven Smith said, “Lost all my fingernails. Some game of cricket, wasn’t it. Asad played an unbelievable innings. Was hardwork. Lot of credit to the way they played.”

“Our quicks kept coming back, that wicket showed the class of Starcy. You’ve always got hope, one wicket away. They didn’t give us a sniff until the end. Wouldn’t have enforced the follow-on, to give our bowlers a rest. We’ve seen in day-night Tests, wickets fall under lights with the new ball. I’m sure the ratings would have been amazing as well. Nice to hit ’em, not sure what Yasir was doing there.” Smith said.

The Pakistan skipper would have been overwhelmed, they put up a superb show but in the end fell just short of what would have been a historic win. Misbah-ul-Haq said: “I’m happy because, after the first innings, the way we got all out, it was looking difficult for us to come back. Wonderful. Special knocks from tail-enders also. Amir showed resilience. That was a superb knock from Shafiq. I’m happy and proud the way we played in the fourth innings. I always believe in this team, that’s why we’ve been performing well in the last six years. All individuals can give you something special. We knew Yasir can chip in and he can help Shafiq. Even when Shafiq got out there was hope. After what we showed in the last couple of days, everyone believes, the team more than anyone else.”

Mitchell Starc who got them the winning wicket of Shafiq said: “They played really well to score that total on the backend of the game. We knew if we got one, we’d eventually get the other. Hard toiling for us. A bit stiff and sore for the night. Long night, didn’t get to bed till 1.30 – 2 o’clock. The ball went soft rather quickly, a bit of hard work towards the end. They’ve gusted it out and credit to them.