Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test Stats Preview: Players records and approaching milestones

The previous Test was the first match between Australia and Pakistan in 24 years and the first match of the newly named Benaud-Qadir Trophy. It was expected to be a blockbuster with both fielding their full-strength teams at Rawalpindi. But alas, Rawalpindi produced the flattest pitch in recent years. Only 14 wickets were taken and no player was dismissed more than once in the Test with 2275 balls bowled. The top-order of both teams, especially Pakistan, made full use of this opportunity to bolster their averages. The pitch was given a ‘below average’ rating by the ICC which led them have one demerit point. This was not a usual Rawalpindi pitch, which is historically considered as Pakistan’s best pitch in terms of favoring the bowlers.

The teams have now traveled far south to play the second Test at Karachi. After receiving the criticisms faced due to a “dead and benign” pitch in the first Test, Pakistan are now expected to produce a result-oriented pitch. Australia have interestingly never won a single Test at National Stadium in Karachi, the only ground where they played three or more Tests but never won. Skipper  Cummins would be looking to break the streak and gain some crucial World Test Championship points. On the other hand, Pakistan would love to carry forward their confidence in batting, even on a more lively track.

Here is a look at the important numbers ahead of the second PAK-AUS Test at Karachi.

1 – Azhar Ali needs one fifty-plus knock to become the first Pakistani cricketer with 10 fifty-plus scores against Australia in Tests since Javed Miandad in 1988.

3 – Runs needed by Babar Azam to reach 2500 Test runs. He will become the second Pakistani with 2500+ runs across all three formats, after Mohammad Hafeez.

4 – Nathan Lyon needs four more wickets to become the second Australian spinner to complete 450 international scalps, after Shane Warne who took 1001 wickets. He will become the first Australian off-spinner to reach the milestone.

0 – Total Tests won by Australia at Karachi. They have lost five and drew three. The last time Australia played a Test at Karachi was in 1998, in a drawn match.

2 – Australia won only two out of 20 Tests they played in Pakistan. These two wins have come at Lahore in 1959 and Rawalpindi in 1998.

10 – If Pakistan wins this match, it will be their tenth consecutive home Test without facing a defeat. Since losing against South Africa in 2007, Pakistan have won four and drew five at home. The last time Pakistan had a streak of ten consecutive unbeaten home Tests was in 1991-95.

2009 – If Mitchell Swepson gets selected to play in the second Test, he will become the second specialist leg-spinner to play Test cricket for Australia, since Bryce McGain in 2009.

88.84 – The previous Test has seen the bowlers going at 88.84 runs per wicket, which is the highest bowling average of any Test match since the PAK-SL Test at Lahore in March 2009.

Written By – Kaustubh Gudipati