Australia vs Pakistan: The first Test of the three-match series between Australia and Pakistan resulted in a draw. The focus now shifts to the second Test and both teams would be looking to win the game and take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test is scheduled to be played at National Stadium in Karachi from 12th to 16th March 2022.
Pakistan batted brilliantly in the first Test. Imam Ul Haq scored centuries in both innings of the Test match. His partner, Abdullah Shafique scored 44 and followed it up with a century, while Azhar Ali also played a sensational knock of 185 runs in 361 balls. The rest of the batsmen didn’t get a lot of time in the middle. Pakistan managed to score a huge total of 476 runs in the first innings.
Australia too batted well in the second innings and managed to score 459. Usman Khawaja fell 3 runs short of a hundred, while Labuschagne made 90 off 158. David Warner (68) and Steve Smith (78) also made valuable contributions with the bat.
Despite being a dead pitch, Pakistan did manage to pick all ten wickets of Australia, thanks to some outstanding bowling from Nauman Ali. The left-arm spinner managed to pick six wickets in the match.
Given the fact that the pitch in Karachi will help the spinner, Nauman Ali will once again be key to Pakistan’s fortune in the second Test. Sajid Khan could only pick one wicket in the first Test but he is likely to make a great impact in the second Test match. As for Australia, Mitchell Swepson is all set to make his Test debut. Josh Hazlewood might make way for him.
Australia vs Pakistan Test squads
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood. Reserves: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Haris
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw
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