Australia v Pakistan 2nd Test – Pakistan Player Ratings

Pakistan continues to be predictably unpredictable. The phrase was yet again applicable on the final day of the 2nd Test against Australia at MCG as Pakistan fell apart like nine pins and was bowled out for meagre 163 in 52.4 overs, handing Australia an unexpected victory by an innings and 18 runs. Beginning the day at 465/6, Smith carried on from where he left on the 4th day.

Along with Mitchell Starc, the duo shared an incredible 154 runs partnership for the 8th wicket which came at a brisk pace. Starc too played a terrific innings and was eventually dismissed for 84, hitting 3 fours and 7 huge sixes during his stay.

Smith declared the innings at 624/8 with a lead of 181 runs. Aussie pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped apart the top order and reduced Pakistan to 101/6 and there was no way back for the visitors. Nathan Lyon also bowled a brilliant spell in the middle to derail the visitor’s progress. The final wicket was fittingly taken by Starc who finished with brilliant figures of 4/36 in 15.2 overs. Australia will now head to Sydney with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match series. Now here we look at the Pakistan player ratings from the match

Sami Aslam – 1/10

Sami Aslam who looked pretty impressive during his short stay at the Gabba had a horrendous outing in the 2nd Test. He was dismissed cheaply in both the innings and failed to provide an ideal start to the visitors which is essentially required from an opener.

In the first innings, he was dismissed by Nathan Lyon with a beautifully flighted delivery outside the off stump. The ball turned sharply and Aslam was caught in the crease. It took the shoulder of the bat and was safely pouched by Steven Smith stationed in first slip. In the 2nd innings, he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood on 2. It was a decent length delivery and Aslam was little late to it. The ball hit the inside edge then went off his pads to the hit the timbers.

Azhar Ali – 9/10

While Sami Aslam failed to provide an ideal start to Pakistan on both occasions, his partner Azhar Ali was at his sublime best. What a terrific double century it turned out to be in the first innings. Courtesy his double century he also broke Virender Sehwag’s record for the highest score by an Asian batsman at the MCG. Though Azhar was troubled occasionally by Starc and Hazlewood he fought it out and showed character to defy them.

He played some delightful strokes and especially drove and cut to perfection. He struck 20 fours during his stupendous knock of 205 and carried his bat through the innings. It was a gutsy knock by a terrific batsman. In the 2nd innings too, he chipped in with 43 as he kept losing partners. He was dismissed by Hazlewood with a beautiful outswinger which moved away just a bit and thudded onto his pads.

Babar Azam – 2/10

Another talented youngster Babar Azam had a forgettable outing in the 2nd Test and could only manage 23 and 3 in the two innings. He began well in the first innings and played some beautiful shots before giving away his wicket Hazlewood. The ball angled away after pitching and took the outside edge only to be safely pocketed by Steve Smith fielding in the first slip.

In the 2nd essay, he was trapped in front by Starc with a beautiful inswinger. The ball moved in late and thudded onto the pads. Azam reviewed the decision but to his utter dismay, the replays showed the ball would have clipped the leg stump.

Younis Khan – 3/10

The horrifying times for Younis Khan continued as he yet again failed to make an impact in both the innings. Ever since his double century against England at the Oval he has had a pretty ordinary time and has failed to get going. In the first innings, he was castled by Jackson Bird with a beautiful inswinger and came back late. Younis was late on to the ball which cost him dearly.

He was dismissed by Nathan Lyon in the 2nd essay with his extra bounce. It was an off-break on a length and Younis was surprised with the extra bounce. The ball hit the upper part of the bat and was taken safely by peter Handscomb field in the short leg position.

Misbah-ul-Haq – 2/10

Captain Misbah-ul Haq’s woeful times continued. Yet again he was dismissed cheaply in both the innings and could only manage 11 and a duck in the two innings. In the first innings, he was dismissed by Jackson Bird with a length delivery. The ball moved just a bit and Misbah went for an expansive drive. It took the edge of the flashing blade of Misbah and was safely grabbed by Steven Smith stationed in the first slip.

He was dismissed for a 2nd ball duck in the 2nd essay by Nathan Lyon. It was a terrible shot from such an experienced batsman like Misbah. He swept a delivery outside the off stump which took the top edge and was safely pouched by the short fine leg fielder. It was poor Test match batting from the 42-year-old veteran.

Asad Shafiq – 5/10 

Asad Shafiq continued from where he left in the opening test in Sydney and scored a fluent half-century in the first innings. He provided Azhar Ali with the much-needed support and stitched together an 115 runs partnership with him for the 6th wicket. Shafiq gave away his wicket exactly on 50 as he edged a short of length delivery from Jackson Bird to the first slip.

In the 2nd essay, he could only manage 16 as Nathan Lyon bowled the most impressive spell of the match. He again bowled a perfect off-break at length and Shafiq jabbed at the delivery with hard hands. Peter Handscomb yet again completed a simple catch in the short leg region.

Sarfaraz Ahmed – 5/10

Sarfaraz Ahmed who scored a promising half-century in the first Test couldn’t quite replicate his innings and was dismissed for only 10 in the first essay. Hazlewood bowled a delivery in the 5th stump and Sarfaraz went after that. It took the edge of the bat and was safely caught by Matt Renshaw stationed in the slip cordon.

In the 2nd innings, he again came back to his own and played a fluent innings. As wickets started falling around him at a consistent he went for the positive approach and scored 43 of 62 balls. He struck 4 boundaries and was eventually bowled by a cracking delivery from Mitchell Starc.

Mohammad Amir – 3/10

Mohammad Amir again showed his potential as a batsman and chipped in a=with a crucial 29 in the first innings before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc. Despite his impressive batting, he was not impressive with the ball. Despite bowling in the right areas the ball was hardly doing anything and the Australian batsmen played him with utmost comfort. He went wicketless and finished with figures of 0/91 in 33 overs. He was dismissed cheaply in the 2nd innings by Jackson Bird.

Sohail Khan – 5/10

The nippy fast bowler began with a whirlwind knock during Pakistan’s 1st innings. He struck Nathan Lyon for some lusty blows and scored a beautiful half-century. He took on the Aussie bowlers with disdain and it paid off for the fast bowler. Whenever he attempted a slog he ended up hitting it for six. He was eventually dismissed in the form of a runout.

He was impressive with the ball but despite bowling his heart out he went wicketless in his first two spells. He took 3 wickets eventually but went for plenty of runs. In the 2nd innings, he remained not out 10 as Pakistan were bundled out for 163.

Wahab Riaz – 4/10

Wahab Riaz bowled well in patches in the 1st innings and troubled centurion David Warner on quite a few occasions. Riaz castled him with a perfect inswinger but to his utter dismay, it was a big no-ball. He continued bowling no balls throughout the innings and finished with as many as 10 no balls. He eventually dismissed Warner with a snorter of a delivery. Riaz eventually finished with figures of 2/147 in 32 overs.

Yasir Shah – 3/10

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah went for 207 runs in 41 overs as the Australian batsmen went hammers and tongs in a bid to score quick runs. Yasir bowled well in patches and deceived the batsman with his leg breaks and googlies but couldn’t do it on a consistent basis. Despite picking 3 wickets Shah would be pretty disappointed with his performances. Most of his wickets came at a time when the Aussie batsmen were going for quick runs to increase their lead.

Shah didn’t bat in the first essay and was dismissed for a 3rd ball duck by Mitchell Starc in the 2nd essay.