Cricket: Pakistan’s batsmen need 326 runs more for victory against Australia
Pakistan opener, Salman Butt is in mood to throw away a chance for their first Test victory against Australia in fourteen Test matches. But they would need to alter record books, if they want to achieve this feat. Usually teams chasing huge totals in the fourth innings pray for rain to stop the proceedings. But Pakistan is no such side. They will be eying victory if Salman Butt and Co. provide Pakistan with a formidable start on the 4th day of the first MCC Spirit of Cricket Test at Lords.
But with a monstrous target of 440 on the scoreboard, it would be hard not to imagine the Pakistani dressing room looking to the clouds on the penultimate day of the first Test. With Pakistan’s team batting line-up featuring only a few recognizable names, for pundits this game is all over. Afridi’s team failed miserably with the bat in the first innings as they were bowled out by the Aussies for a nominal 148. Debutants Umar Amin and Azhar Ali failed to make any impact. Pakistan would be relying on old guards in the form of the Akmal brothers.
As expected the effect of atmosphere and weather is huge on playing conditions at Lord’s. When the atmosphere is humid or conditions overcast, it helps the bowlers with the movement of the ball. On the other hand, when the sun breaks through, the pitch becomes as dead as Faisalabad. This was substantiated from the performance of Pakistan’s batsmen in the closing hours of third day. Salman Butt and the debutant Azhar Ali were flawless as they took Pakistan's total to a confident 114 for 1 in 37 overs at the close of the third day’s play.
The only respite for Australian bowlers was the wicket of opener Imran Farhat. Imran Farhat capitalizing early on conditions, made a solid start. But as both Butt and Farhat were looking to give Pakistan a firm opening foundation, Farhat suffered a rush of blood against Steven Smith, and played a loose shot only to be caught by Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 at midwicket. Farhat became the first Test wicket for debutant Steven Smith.
The main architect and anchor of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s second innings was unambiguously Salman Butt. Unlike his fellow opener, Butt played with reasonable caution. His shot selection was very responsible as he scored his second half-century of the day. He was unbeaten at 58 on the close of the third day. Joining Butt was Azhar Ali, who also remained unbeaten at 28 as Pakistan posted 114 for 1 on third day. It all sums up to a simple equation. Pakistan need a further 326 runs to record their first victory against Aussies after a very long time where as Australia need just nine more wickets in six sessions.
Earlier, Australian batsmen fully capitalizing on sunny conditions posted a reasonable total to give Pakistan 400 plus target. Pakistan bowlers found difficult to take Australian wickets as the pitch refused to offer any movement. The determined performance of Australia's opener Simon Katich was the main moment, as he battled 174 balls for an invaluable 83. He earlier scored 80 in the first innings. His performance in both innings makes him the prime candidate for the Man of the Match award. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 ended their second innings with a score of 334 runs.
Meanwhile, Tim Paine is confident that Australia will prevail as they would stop Pakistani batsmen from chasing a record total. Talking to reporters at the end of the third day, Australian wicket-keeper Tim Paine said, “We have got plenty of runs on the board. Right up until the last ball tonight we showed that we're going to be creating chances. If we bowl well there's enough there for us to keep them under pressure and create those chances to win the game”.
It will be partly up to nature to determine the fate of this Test. If the conditions on the fourth day are sunny, then Pakistan will have a golden chance to stop their losing streak against Australia in Test Cricket.
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