Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test - 5 Talking Points

Pakistan was on the brink of making history. The Asian giants once again proved why they are dubbed as the most unpredictable team in the world cricket. The last two days of the opening Test at the Gabba, Brisbane was faith, hope, brilliance and anticipation. Pakistan, in their quest of chasing down the mammoth 490 run target, was on a brink of re-writing record books.

No one expected them to hit back this way, especially after getting swept away in the first innings for just 142 runs. However, as mentioned above, the Pakistanis showed their uncanny nature to rising above from misery and produced an absolutely entertaining batting performance in the fourth inning of the match. They were facing a mountain of runs with two days in hand.

Survival was the only thought in the minds of hosts, everyone assumed. However, what transpired next was a pure spectacle of the ‘jazba’ factor which has been the identity of Pakistan cricket for years. They might have lost the game eventually by 39 runs. But, this performance in the final innings surely would be a moral victory for them and also sets up the series in a perfect way.

1. Asad Shafiq’s special knock

Asad Shafiq, the strong-willed, middle order batsman, was the hope for Pakistan. From being at a stage of losing the game to bring the victory at a touching distance, it was largely due to his brilliance that Pakistan was able to stretch the match this far. His credentials as the No.6 batsman were never a doubt.

He already had eight Test centuries batting in that position and scripted the most epic knock of his career last night and reached his 10th century. He was unarguably the backbone of Pakistan’s fourth innings brilliance and together with the tail-enders added spice to the match which looked completely in the bags of the hosts.

2. The beginning of the fight back

Shafiq at one end had nailed himself to the crease. He was completely immovable. And, inspired by is resilience the lower middle order decided to fight back and did in style. The game progressed the aggression was visible and the fact that Pakistan were pressing for a win was clearly visible.

After the loss of Sarfraz Ahmed, the tail was exposed and the end was thought to be near. However, Mohammad Amir proved his batting ability and struck 48 runs in the 93 runs stand for the 7th wicket at a run-rate of over 4.5 runs an over.

3. Going for the gold:

Amir was removed two runs short of his fifty in the 107th over and Shafiq had Wahab Riaz as the new man in. Riaz also did not disappoint and continued the show of resilience. Australia, who thought of wrapping up the game had to wait further as Shafiq and Wahab helped Pakistan inch closer and closer to a victory.

Shafiq in the meantime also reached his 10th century. And Riaz batted in the exact manner in which Amir was batting, scoring 30 runs in the 66 runs stand for the 8th wicket. Unfortunately, Riaz could not survive till stumps as he nicked one behind to the slips off Bird to add another twist and tilt the match in the favour of Australia.

4. Optimism

In came the optimistic Yasir Shah who seemed to be in no mood fo settling for anything less that a victory. The right-hander supported the Shafiq in the same way Amir and Riaz did. He chose not to just hang around but accumulated runs a healthy pace to keep the chase going.

In his presence, Pakistan was swiftly narrowly the deficit and moving towards completing a probable chase. His sturdy show of batsmanship got Pakistan 71 run fo rthe 9th wicket before the match turned head over heels as Shafiq bounced out by Mitchell Starc. Unfortunately, there was not much eh could do after thereafter and was the last man to fall.

5. Fate favours Australia:

The morning was bit frustrating for Australia. The flat batting track, no assistance from the pink ball and the sturdy defiance from Shafiq and Yasir was annoying for Australian fans. The team was under pressure in their home. The bunch of Pakistan fans chanting ‘Pakistan zindabad’ added more intensity.

Starc tried his yorkers at Yasir Shah but the leg-spinner was in no trouble and blocked each and every one of them. To add to the insult his counter-attacking instinct got him runs at a healthy rate. Shafiq was a relieved man and no longer worried about safeguarding the tail-ender who began fighting on his own. A close stumping chance and a flying edge past Steve Smith in the slip cordon added more insult. But, as it was earlier said, they needed just two good balls and all hopes were dashed when Asad Shafiq was gotten better by Starc.