During Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ fantastic caught and bowled sends Abdullah Shafique back against the flow of play in the second Test.
Read Also: Kagiso Rabada said of the delivery that eliminated Virat Kohli
And made things happen just when Pakistan appeared to be in perfect control of their innings.
Pat Cummins’ fantastic caught and bowled sends Abdullah Shafique back against the flow of play
Abdullah Shafique seemed at ease batting on 62, and it would take something spectacular to get rid of the opener.
Cummins delivered it by completing a difficult return catch with amazing reflexes. Shafique attempted to drive a Pat Cummins truck along the field but was unable to do so.
The mistimed ball flew right at the Australian captain, who got down in time to execute a fine catch.
While Abdullah Shafique could only stare in bewilderment and then plod back to the pavilion, Pat Cummins yelled with pleasure, appropriately.
Pat Cummins’ huge wicket of Babar Azam gets Australia back in the game
After dismissing Shafique, the Australian skipper hit gold in the very next over, dismissing the outstanding Babar Azam for just one run.
When he got a decent length ball to nip back off the seam, Pat Cummins had a wicket over his belt and was throwing with his tail up.
Babar attempted to defend without properly covering the line for the nip-backer. And the ball hit the stumps after passing through the space between his bat and pad.
Babar Azam, like Shafique before him, could only stare in bewilderment and make his way back to the shed.
Pakistan bowled Australia out for 318 runs, and at 124/1, the visitors appeared to be in charge for the first time in the series.
Read Also: How Much Netherlands Cricket Player Salary?
However, Cummins’ double-strike has taken Australia back into the game, demonstrating why the Australian skipper is regarded as one of the finest bowlers in modern cricket, particularly in the longest format.