Despite the defeat to Australia in the Melbourne Test, Pakistan had three major benefits. There were hints on Day 4 of the just finished Melbourne Test that Pakistan may turn the tide and seize control of the game.
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Despite the defeat to Australia in the Melbourne Test, Pakistan had three major benefits
However, Australian skipper Pat Cummins stepped up big time in the last session and dashed any aspirations, becoming the first Test captain to collect 10 wickets in an MCG Test.
Pakistan’s collapse from 216 for five to 237 all out culminated in a 79-run loss, giving Australia a 2-0 series lead.
The teams will now travel to Sydney for the third Test of the season. Following the match, Mohammad Hafeez said that his squad was “the superior team” and even questioned the umpires.
Despite the defeat to Australia in the Melbourne Test, Pakistan had three major benefits
1. Rizwan –Salman show promise
Mohammad Rizwan enjoys being in the middle of things; he wants to be the center of attention and to get his hands dirty.
In the second inning, he was in his element and played with his typical intent. Rizwan had excellent assistance in Salman Agha, and these two batsmen caused Australia plenty of problems as they whittled down the target.
Salman Agha is also Pakistan’s sole acknowledged spinner in the team, and he has surely delivered on the field.
He can get agitated by quick bowlers, but he has demonstrated enough tenacity for the team to continue with him.
Even when on the ground, Agha hit a fifty, which is another encouraging indicator for Pakistan in the future.
2. Shan Masood leads the way
With the bat, Shan Masood will constantly be under pressure. He averages about 30 in Test cricket and has unable to cement his place in the team.
As captain, he was expected to set the tone for his team, and he did not disappoint.
The 34-year-old bats with a lot of intent and constantly attempts to put pressure on the bowlers. With scores of 54 and 60 in two innings in Melbourne, he was Pakistan’s batting standout.
At number three, he can set the tempo, but he now needs the help of one or two additional hitters to keep Australia in the game.
3. Bowling finally steps up
Pakistan finally showed up with the ball after a disappointing showing in Perth. There were many doubts about the bowling group’s ability to take up 20 wickets, but they answered them with style.
They initially held Australia to 318 runs in the first innings before reducing them to 16 for four in the second before Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith put up 153 runs for the fifth wicket.
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This performance gives them a lot of optimism as they travel to the Sydney Cricket Ground. Shaheen Afridi was more superior, and the addition of Mir Hamza proved to be a wise decision. So far, Aamer Jamal has been the tour’s best find for travelers.