Pakistan in control at Headingley, Australia out for 7th lowest total in their history
On a losing streak of 13 and counting, Pakistan headed to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 under a new Captain in Salman Butt to take on the Aussie Juggernaut at Headingley Leeds for the second and the last test of the home series on foreign soil. With the ground having a history of producing highly dramatic and extraordinary matches this one turned out to be just that and the first day is not over yet.
Another extraordinary chapter in Headingley’s history was written this morning in Leeds when some mesmerising seam and swing bowling by the Pakistani fast bowling contingent blew the Aussies away. Bowling them out, for a paltry 88-runs, in the first innings. You have to go back more than a hundred years to find Australia’s lowest ever score in a test innings, of 53 runs, and, thankfully Pakistan spared them that humiliation by allowing them to get past that.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, no matter what he does.
Pakistan on the other hand had something else in mind, they are like a wounded tiger and wanted their revenge, and so far so good.
Mohammad Aamer started the rout early and even found himself on a hat trick at one point. While Gul and Asif also decided to join hands with the left hander pacer to pile on the misery on, an otherwise formidable, Aussie line up.
Ponting’s decision to bat first backfired in stunning fashion when Aamer removed the top scorer of the last test, Katich for only 13 runs. Asif then followed suit and removed, Katich’s opening partner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 stuttering at 20 for 2.
Headingley is a venue where weather conditions should be paid as much attention as the playing surface itself and Ponting’s arrogance got the better of him as he chose to overlook the overcast skies. But credit must be given where credit is due, as Pakistani bowlers made the best of the conditions and got the ball to swing late off the seam.
These were scenes reminiscent of the days when Wasim and Waqar used to lead the Pakistan bowling attack. But this morning the bowlers didn’t even need the help of the fielder as 7 of the 10 wickets were either bowled or lbw. Kamran Akmal being the wicket keeper played his part though when he gloved a magnificent catch to get rid of Marcus North giving Umar Amin his first test scalp.
In just 22.5 overs Australia had lost 6 wickets for 60 runs and Pakistani bowlers were on song. Any hopes of Australia consolidating were dashed when Aamer got back into the attack to haunt the Aussies once again, producing viciously swinging deliveries to remove Steven Smith and Mitchel Johnson.
The Headingley crowd was jumping up and down in the aisles and comparisons with the legendary http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 were being made by the commentators. The rout didn’t end there as Australia had their misery compounded when Ben Hilfenhous was run out from third man, following some impressive work in the field by Umar Amin and Kamran Akmal.
Australia was finally relieved off their pain and agony when Asif removed Paine on the first ball of the 34th over.Australia had been bowled out for their 7th lowest test score in history.
Asif and Aamer both claimed 3 wickets each while Gul bagged 2. Pakistan has started their reply and has continued their impressive form in the match so far, scoring a brisk 64 for no loss. With Salman Butt and Imran Farhat leading the charge, Salman is playing on 38 while Farhat has made 20.
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