Tag: Karachi test

KARACHI: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and the opening batter Abdullah Shafique carried their bat till the stumps of day four of the ongoing second Test to keep Pakistan in the hunt as they need 314 runs to win.

Pakistan enjoyed a delightful last session of the fourth day as the home side added 88 runs without losing any wicket as they finished at 192/2 at the stumps on day four.

Pakistan’s skipper Babar notched up his sixth Test century in the closing minutes and remained unbeaten. He has faced 198 deliveries and smashed a dozen boundaries.

His partner Abdullah, on the other hand, also batted exceptionally well as he remained unbeaten on 71 with the help of four boundaries and a six.

The pair have put on a 171-runs partnership for the third wicket and will now resume the proceedings for Pakistan at 192/2 on the final day.

After a series of frustrating sessions, Pakistan got hold of the second session of day four as they added 86 runs for the loss of just one wicket.

In the first session, resuming at an overnight score of 81/1, Australia’s top-order batters Marnus Labuschagne and the left-handed opener Usman Khawaja managed to add just 16 runs into their overnight partnership.

Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to break their partnership in the 24th over as he castled Labuschagne for 44.

With his dismissal, Australian captain Pat Cummins decided to declare the innings at 97/2, Khawaja remained unbeaten with 44.

Set to chase a mammoth 506, Pakistan were off to a poor start as they lost their in-form opening batter Imam-ul-Haq for a combined score of two. Imam made his way back after managing to score just one as Nathan Lyon trapped him in his legs.

Pakistan’s young opening batter Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali then anchored the innings and made sure that the home side do not lose any further wickets. The pair batted for 15 overs and add 18 runs to the team’s total.

KARACHI: Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has revealed that Australia’s decision of not enforcing the follow-on in the ongoing second Test against Pakistan was unanimous.

Starc, in a media interaction after the conclusion of the third day of the Karachi Test, revealed that it was the touring side’s unanimous decision of not enforcing the follow-on.

“I think we bowled pretty well in the afternoon session. The decision of not enforcing the follow-on was unanimous and everybody was quick to agree on that,” he said.

Starc further claimed the cracks have started to appear on the pitch and the wicket is now helping the ball to reverse swing.

“Cracks have started appearing in the pitch which is supporting the bowling. The bowlers are also getting the reverse swing,” he said.

The left-arm pacer went on to comment on his performance, also lauded the youngsters for their ‘exceptional’ performance on their first tour to Pakistan.

“I am pretty satisfied with my performance. Also, there are a lot of youngsters in our side, who did well on their first tour to Pakistan,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that the touring side is in control in the ongoing second Test against Pakistan. The Aussies are leading by a mammoth 489 runs as Pakistan could only score 148 in response to Australia’s 556 in the first innings.

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KARACHI: Australia’s left-handed opener Usman Khawaja and the top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne stood firm as Australia extended their lead to 489 before the stumps on day three of the second Test, here on Monday.

Before the conclusion of the third day of the Karachi Test, Australia finished at 81/1 as Khawaja and Labuschagne made sure that the touring side do not lose any wicket. Khawaja scored an unbeaten 35, while Labuschagne remained not out with his 37.

David Warner, on the other hand, fell short after scoring just seven.

Australia continued their momentum with the ball in the third session as the touring side bowled out Pakistan for 148 to take a massive lead of 408 runs.

Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam remained the lone-warrior for the home side; scoring 36, while the rest of the batters could not manage to score much.

Earlier, Australia experienced a resounding session as they put the hosts on the backfoot by taking six wickets. In the eventful second session, Pakistan, on the other hand, could only add 62 runs.

Pakistan’s last-match centurion Imam-ul-Haq fell in the first over after Lunch as the left-handed batter threw his wicket to Nathan Lyon after attempting to slog the ball. He scored 20 off 64 balls and hit three boundaries.

Following his departure, Azhar Ali put on a brief 15-runs partnership with Babar before the former made his way back after edging the ball to the slip. He scored 14 off 37 balls.

Azhar’s dismissal sparked the collapse which reduced Pakistan to 97/7 as Fawad Alam bagged a golden duck, while Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, and Sajid Khan scored cheaply and could not get to the double-figures.

The first session of the third day was also an eventful one as the touring side first declared their innings at 556/9 and then an early wicket of Abdullah slightly tilted the game in the favour of the Aussies.

The right-handed batter scored 13 before a direct hit from Swepson stopped his stay at the crease.

Resuming at an overnight score of 505/8, Australian skipper Pat Cummins’s fiery cameo of 34 runs bolstered the visitors’ score to 556/9 as his partner Mitchell Starc could only face two balls on the ongoing third day and walked back without adding to his overnight score of 28.

Cummins, on the other hand, added a valuable 51 runs with the debutant for the 10th wicket as Swepson also chipped in with his unbeaten 15.

For Pakistan, Faheem and Sajid bagged two wickets each, while Nauman Ali, Babar, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Hasan struck out a batter each.

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KARACHI: Australia’s wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey missed on his century after Usman Khawaja’s 160 but the touring side finished at 505/8 on the stumps of the second day of the Karachi Test, here on Sunday.

Australia added 98 runs in the final session of the second day, while Pakistan managed to take one wicket.

Australia’s wicket-keeper batter Carey, who notched up his half-century in the opening minutes of the third session, missed on his well-deserved century by just seven runs as Babar Azam castled the left-handed batter for 93.

His partner Mitchell Starc, stood firm and carried his bat till the stumps. Starc (26*) and Cummins (0*) will now resume the proceedings at 505/8 on the third day.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf and Sajid Khan bagged two wickets each, while Babar, Hasan Ali, and Nauman Ali managed to make one scalp apiece.

After four sessions in favour of Australia, Pakistan managed to dominate the fifth. The home side managed to take three wickets in the eventful second session of the second day; taking three wickets including a big one of Khawaja.

Khawaja, who was looking exceptional, fell short to Sajid Khan in the 131st over as the right-arm spinner castled the left-hander to provide a major breakthrough to the home side. Khawaja scored a splendid 160 off 369 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and a six.

Before, Khawaja’s dismissal, Head also perished earlier in the second session as Nauman Ali trapped him in his legs for 23. Furthermore, in the last over before the Tea break, Nauman provided another success to Pakistan in the form of Cameron Green’s wicket.

The right-handed batter 28 off 73 balls including two boundaries and a six.

Earlier in the morning session, Australia, resuming at an overnight score of 251/3, managed to pile a further 81-runs to set their sights on a 450 plus mark.

The nightwatchman acted as the aggressor during his valuable fifty-plus partnership with Khawaja and assisted the touring side to score at a quick rate.

Lyon’s cameo however came to an end in the 106th over as Faheem Ashraf delivered a peach to castle the right-handed batter for 38. He faced 62 balls and smashed five boundaries.

Khawaja, on the other hand, batted sensibly before and after Lyon’s dismissal and became the third opening batter to score 150 against Pakistan.

It was a frustrating session for Pakistan as they leaked 81 runs in 27 overs and managed to get just one wicket.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan said that Australia benefited by winning the toss and batting first on the first day of the Karachi Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy here on Saturday.

Rizwan, while talking to the presser after the conclusion of the opening day of the Karachi Test, claimed that the touring side benefited by opting to bat first.

“I think it has benefited Australia to win the toss and opt to bat first,” Rizwan said.

“The Australian batsmen took advantage of the wicket at the start,” he added.

Rizwan then went on to opine about Karachi’s pitch and said it is different to that of Pindi, while at the same time expressing his hope for a consequential match.

“Karachi’s wicket is different from Pindi. I hope Karachi’s Test will be consequential,” he said.

“In my opinion, the ball will gradually get more spin on Karachi wicket in the coming days,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia scored 251/3 after the first day’s play of the second Test. Australia’s Usman Khawaja scored a magnificent first hundred in his country of birth, while Steve Smith followed with his 72 before getting out in closing minutes of the day.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf managed to make one scalp each.

READ: Usman’s century remains in spotlight as Australia score 251/3 at stumps

KARACHI: Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has said that the Aussies are capable enough of taking 20 wickets in the second Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, starting from tomorrow.

In a virtual media interaction, the Australian captain claimed that his side can pick 20 wickets in the upcoming second Test while relying on their spin bowling options. Cummins also confirmed that the leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will be debuting against Pakistan tomorrow.

“Karachi’s pitch looks good for the spin. Therefore, we have decided to rest [Josh] Hazlewood and Swepson will make his debut,” he said.

“Nathan Lyon and leg-spinner Swepson will make a big difference in our bowling attack for Karachi Test. I think we are eligible enough of taking all the 20 wickets,” he added.

Cummins then went on to opine about NSK’s pitch and said the pitch looks dry and beneficial for the bowlers.

“We had a look at the pitch and it seems a bit dry and favourable for the bowlers. It looks like there will be a break on the wicket,” he said.

“If the ball gets to start reverse swing that Mitchell Starc can put a major threat for the batters,” he added.

Cummins further stated about his side’s preparation for the Karachi Test and said they are ready for the contest and looking forward to continuing their ‘pretty satisfactory’ performance from Pindi.

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KARACHI: The National Stadium Karachi (NSK) is likely to invite students from schools, colleges and universities to watch the second Test between Pakistan and Australia, according to reports.

As per the details, the administration of the NSK has set a quota of free tickets for students.

In an addition, the General Manager of NSK also contacted Commissioner Karachi and requested the lists of interested students.

Furthermore, interested schools can also get tickets by contacting the NSK administration.

It is pertinent to mention here that the second Test between Pakistan and Australia will roll into action on March 12. The touring side will play their first match in NSK after a gap of 24 years.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been ruled out of the Karachi Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, following his contraction to the widely spread virus.

Faheem, who missed the first Test of the ongoing historic series between Pakistan and Australia due to an injury has now been ruled out of the second Test as the fast-bowling all-rounder has tested positive for COVID-19 on his on-arrival test at the team hotel.

The all-rounder is now due to undergo a mandatory isolation period of five days and will miss the Karachi Test.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Faheem’s replacement will be announced in due case if needed.

It is pertinent to mention here that the first Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy in Rawalpindi, ended as a draw, while the Karachi Test will be played from March 12 to March at National Stadium.

READ: PAK vs AUS: Players to reach Karachi tomorrow for the second Test

RAWALPINDI: After the conclusion of the first Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy here, players from both Pakistan and Australia will fly for Karachi tomorrow for the second Test.

The squads of both Pakistan and Australia will fly from Islamabad to Karachi tomorrow afternoon to play the second Test of the three-match series, which will start from March 12.

The teams will then hold practice sessions before taking the field at National Stadium Karachi on Saturday.

It is apropos to mention here that the preparations have already entered the final phase for the historic Test and the pitch curators are specially instructed to prepare a lively pitch that is capable of making the Karachi Test consequential.

Furthermore, the recently concluded first Test between Pakistan and Australia has been ended as a draw as no results could be concluded after five days of action.

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KARACHI: The preparations at the National Stadium for the upcoming second Test of the Benaud-Qadir trophy between Pakistan and Australia are in full swing.

As Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan after a gap of 24 years is underway, the touring side will lock horns with Pakistan in the second Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy here from March 12 to March 16.

For the historic Karachi Test, the preparations are in full swing at the National Stadium as the ground staff is working on the outfield, enclosures, stadium building and most importantly on the pitch.

The square of the field, which used to comprise of 11 pitches has been extended to 13 with the addition of two new pitches for the practice by the two teams.

Furthermore, reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has instructed the pitch curators to prepare a lively pitch to make Karachi Test consequential.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Rawalpindi Test between Australia and Pakistan is close to getting drawn as the touring side is still 90 runs behind (Tea Break) in response to Pakistan’s 476 in the first innings.

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