Warner Falls, Australia 90-1 Against Pakistan

News Desk

Islamabad: Australia started day one of the second Test against Pakistan in Melbourne with opener David Warner getting dismissed for 38 just before lunch, leaving the hosts at 90-1.

Usman Khawaja remained unbeaten at 36 as spinner Agha Salman secured the breakthrough, catching Warner off Babar Azam’s slip.

Eyeing a series win after their dominant 360-run victory in Perth, the home team made a strong initial showing in the match.

Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, won the toss, choosing to bowl on a seam-friendly pitch due to the overcast conditions following heavy rain.

Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Pakistani side found movement but missed opportunities, notably dropping Warner twice—first on two by Abdullah Shafique and then surviving an edge that flew past the slips for a boundary at 17.

Australia retained the same playing XI from the first Test, while Pakistan made three changes: Mohammad Rizwan replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper, and fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali entered the lineup, replacing the injured Khurram Shahzad and the omitted Faheem Ashraf. This resulted in an all-pace attack without a dedicated spinner.

Performance Against Australia

Pakistan’s cricket team has shown a mix of promise and challenges in their encounters against Australia. Historically, clashes between these two cricketing nations have often been intense, marked by moments of brilliance from both sides.

In recent matches, Pakistan has displayed flashes of exceptional talent and skill, especially in their bowling department, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali.

These bowlers have showcased their ability to trouble Australian batsmen with their pace, swing, and variations. Additionally, Mohammad Rizwan’s consistent performances with the bat and behind the stumps have been noteworthy, adding stability to Pakistan’s lineup.

However, Pakistan has faced challenges in maintaining consistent performances across all facets of the game. In matches against Australia, their batting lineup has sometimes struggled to build substantial partnerships and put up imposing totals. This has put pressure on their bowlers to defend modest scores and has occasionally resulted in them being on the back foot.

While Pakistan has displayed resilience and potential, they have also grappled with moments of inconsistency and missed opportunities, impacting their overall performance against Australia.

In essence, Pakistan’s cricketing encounters against Australia have been characterized by glimpses of brilliance coupled with areas needing improvement. Their ability to address these challenges and capitalize on their strengths will likely define their future performances against one of cricket’s formidable opponents.