Twitter Reactions: Pakistan stretch their lead to 281 runs after skittling Australia for 145
Mohammad Abbas was the wrecker-in-chief as he returned with the figures of 5/33.
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Pakistan are in a dominating position in the ongoing second and final Test match in Abu Dhabi. Mohammad Abbas was the star bowler for them who registered his third five-wicket haul in the longest format of the game. Australian batsmen just failed to play his deliveries and succumbed to spin-bowling as well to go down once again much like they did in Dubai in the first innings.
At 36/2, Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh resumed the play for their team in the morning. But they got off to the worst possible start as the latter was undone with a superb delivery by Abbas. He came over the wicket and made Marsh poke at a delivery which went to the second slip where Haris Sohail was placed and he didn’t commit any mistake. Yasir Shah then scalped the other Marsh who looked good until edging a beautiful ball from the leggie and was once again caught by Asad Shafiq in the slip.
Before him, Travis Head failed to replicate his heroics in Dubai and was sent back by Abbas-Shafiq duo. Meanwhile, Finch looked determined and didn’t give away his wicket. However, the introduction of Bilal Asif changed things dramatically again as he picked three wickets in his short spell.
Mitchell Starc smacked a few good shots lower down the order and his 34-run knock gave some respectability to their total. They were eventually bundled out for 145 runs conceding a mammoth lead of 137 runs to Pakistan. Abbas fittingly picked the last wicket and completed his third five-wicket haul as he celebrated by thanking God.
Pakistan strengthen their position
Pakistan didn’t have to worry about time this time around and they approached their second innings cautiously. Mohammad Hafeez failed once again but Azhar Ali made the opportunity count this time around. Fakhar Zaman played an aggressive in their partnership and went on to become the first Pakistani opener to notch up twin fifties on his Test debut.
He scored 66 off just 83 balls and was sent back by Nathan Lyon with a brilliant return catch. Meanwhile, Azhar finally found some form after a long time. He grew in confidence after spending some time in the middle and remained unbeaten on 54 until the end of day’s play. He was accompanied by Sohail on 17 as Pakistan ended the day on 144/2 with a lead of 281 runs.
They will look to bat Australia out of the game on the third day now and this provides a great chance to their batsmen to gain some much-needed confidence which lacked in the first innings.
Here’s how Twitter reacted during the course of the day:
Well bowled bro @Mohmmadabbas111
— Bilawal bhatti (@007Bilawal) October 17, 2018
Ps Bowlers will get injured if they have to continue to bowl day after day without rest, due to the batsman continue to fail. Also, I’m a huge fan of Mitch Marsh & his capabilities but appointed VC & batting so high?Paine has to bat in top 6 & why has Lyon not been appointed VC?
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 17, 2018
Wow what a come back from green caps ..
I must say Abbas is something else simply great medium fast bowling spell i ever seen ..— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 17, 2018
I see normal service has resumed for Australia … #PAKvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 17, 2018
Credit to Pakistan, showed character after a shocking start, they’ve been relentless since! Australia have their work cutout now! Hard to constantly chase the game in these conditions. #PakVAus
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 17, 2018
Having watched Mahammad Abbas now for over a year … I have decided he would get me out every time within about 6 balls … The type of bowler i would poop my pants about … Thought I would let you all know … #PAKvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 17, 2018
Sarfraz should only focus on cricket & should learn how to win games on the field & not off the field. Certain pressure are there as captain but face them as leader & take those pressure as opportunities not as set back ..good luck to greens caps ..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 17, 2018
Is Mohd Abbas the best fast bowler in the world?? I think he’s close to being one.. wickets on dead pitches and against all oppositions.. 50 wickets in 10 tests with a strike rate of 40. Great stuff!!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 17, 2018
One of those days as a Pakistan cricket follower to sit back, relax and enjoy the state of play, as you never know what tomorrow may bring in the unpredictable world of Pakistan cricket #PAKvAUS
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 17, 2018
Muhammad Abbas next (almost now) big thing of World Cricket.
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) October 17, 2018
It’s a 5 wicket haul for @Mohmmadabbas111 – outstanding! #PakVAus
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 17, 2018
once again nice performance by Abbas on these dead pitches. #Abbas #PAKvsAUS
— Hassan (@Shaz417) October 17, 2018
Not one positive can be taken from the days cricket from an Aussie perspective. One thing is for certain the listless, heartless performance from today cannot be tolerated. If Langer wants hundreds from batsmen, he is asking too much. 20s would be a start #PAKvsAUS
— Marshall Moore (@MarshallMoore75) October 17, 2018
Mohammad Abbas has taken 12 wickets this series with 9 dismissals of top 5 Australian batters in the batting order#PAKvAUS #PakvsAus
— Encrypted Layman!! (@FreddieFaizan) October 17, 2018
What a dramatic decision, every one confirms @AzharAli_ out.
He is luckiest person, who given not out.#Azhar_Ali#PAKvsAUS @TheRealPCB @SYahyaHussaini @mirzaiqbal80 pic.twitter.com/YR9iHHZfjI— Abdul Waheed Rabbani (@RealPakistan92) October 17, 2018
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