Usman Khawaja dismisses talks of Pakistan having momentum ahead of 2nd Test against Australia

Australian top order batsman Usman Khawaja has dismissed the talks that Pakistan will go into MCG for the Boxing Day Test with the momentum behind them. Although the visitors lost the opening pink ball Tests to the hosts by 39 runs but not before they had put up a spirited performance and threatened to chase down a world record 490 in their 2nd innings.

After being bowled out for a meagre 142 in their 1st innings, the comeback by the Asian giants came as a surprise to many. Chasing 490 to win, middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq played a fighting knock (137) and was well supported by the lower order including Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah.

Their dream of a record-breaking chase was shattered when Mitchell Starc bounced out Shafiq on the 5th day morning and within few minutes Steve Smith ran out Yasir Shah to give Australia a hard fought victory after grinding so hard.

When asked about Pakistan’s momentum going into the 2nd Test, Khawaja said, “I don’t think that matters – it’s a different ground, different conditions, and you can’t really measure momentum, can you? I’m not sure if it exists.” Khawaja also felt that the victory was very close to comfort and they would look to close out games in a much better way in the coming future but also conceded that no matter how they won, a win is always special.

“There are always things we can do better, no matter what game, but … we still won. It doesn’t matter what you win by – you don’t get any more points for winning earlier, later, even though it’s nicer to win earlier,” Khawaja was quoted by the cricket.com.au.

“We know we could have been better in a few spots and we hope to improve that in the next game, but a win’s a win. If you gave me the same result in this game, I’d take it,” he concluded.