Finally, the first test match between Pakistan and Australia has come to an end. And as expected, it ended in a draw on a pitch which offered nothing to any bowler throughout the five days. The visitors bowled 239 overs in the first test and took only four wickets, which shows how the pitch has performed over the course of five days. As a result, to manage the workload of their bowlers, skipper Pat Cummins used as many as nine bowlers on the final day of the test match.
The Aussie bowlers bowled a total of 77 overs in the second innings as well and didn’t get even a single wicket. And the host scored 252 runs without losing a wicket, with both openers scoring a century each. Instead of bowling and staying in the field for more than three days, skipper Cummins didn’t seem disappointed. After the match, he opened up with his views on the test match. He said that the pitch in the first match was not a traditional pitch. The host tried to invalidate the seam bowling options of the Australian team. Furthermore, he was pleased with the outcome of the draw here in Pakistan.
Cummins also said that during the three days on the field, Australia tried different things, especially in the bowling department. The pace bowlers also bowled around 30 overs a piece, which was more than the usual you bowl in Australia, but this workload is manageable. He looked confident that the reverse swing would be there in the upcoming two tests, as there was no swing to offer in the first match. The 28-year-old further said, “but I was really happy with how everyone went and everyone’s come through unscathed.”
“We will review our plans for the next match” – Pat Cummins
Pakistani batters made the most of the batting pitch in the first test. As many as four centuries were scored in the match. And it was all by Pakistani batsmen. Imam ul Haq (157 & 111*) scored twin centuries in both innings. Azar Ali scored 185 runs in the first innings. Shafique managed his maiden century in the second innings as he scored 136 not out. However, for Australia, both openers, Warner and Khawaja, scored half-centuries at the top. And the batting duo of Smith and Labuschagne also managed another test half-centuries each.
The Australian skipper accepted the fact that Pakistani batters used the conditions better than Australia. He concluded, “We’ll spend the next couple days reviewing it having a look at maybe different plans ahead of Karachi, expecting probably different conditions as well.”
The second test match will be played in Lahore, between March 12 and 16.