http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746
The Pakistani’s living up to their reputation of being one of the most unpredictable team’s in the world, added another feather to their caps as they bowled out Australia in the first innings of the second test match being played at Headingley, Leeds on a cloudy morning for just 88 runs.
Yes, you heard me right, it was the Pakistani’s.
The same Pakistani’s who looked in shambles against the Australians just a few days back at Lords came back yesterday and gave the Australians their biggest shock of the summer as the men in yellow eventually crippled to their 7th lowest test innings total.
One can say that after winning the toss, Ricky Ponting made a one off bad choice as he chose to bat in conditions which were favorable to swing and bounce. With Pakistan’s pace attack of Muhammad Aamer, Muhammad Asif and Umer Gul made sure Ponting regretted his decision. They never allowed the Australians to get back into the game, dismissing them in just under 35 over’s, shortly after lunch.
If the first test had taught the Pakistani’s anything, it was not to release the pressure once you have the Australians in check, Also, the fact that in England the weather has a much superior role in the game for bowling as compared to the wicket itself.
English pitches are known to produce extra swing and bounce in cloudy conditions similar to yesterday. The Pakistani bowlers who are great at extracting the best out of such situations did just that. With a coach like Waqar Younis teaching them behind the nets, one would have expected nothing less.
Pakistan’s three main attack bowlers shared 8 wickets amongst themselves with Mohammad Aamer almost getting a hat-trick in the first over after lunch.
Mohammad Aamer took three wickets for 20 runs, Mohammad Asif took three wickets for 30 runs whereas Umar Gul managed two wickets and gave away only 16 runs.
Thus the Pakistani team who had been subjected to great criticism after the first test at Lords along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salman-c88163 Butt.
Salman had a great first day as captain, as he used his bowlers effectively and then when the time came for the Pakistani batsmen to lead the charge he along with Imran Farhat shared an opening partnership worth 80 runs. To demolish the measly first innings total set by the Australians and thus go into a leading position for the first time in the test series.
Butt fell for 45, which then saw another 53 run partnership for the 2nd wicket between Imran Farhat and Azhar Ali.Pakistan eventually ended day one, with bad light stopping play, sitting comfortably on 148 runs for the loss of three wickets. With Umar Akmal and Umar Amin at the crease.
With the weather being an important determinant of the day, Pakistan were lucky enough to see some sun during their batting innings as they were able to consolidate their position. Pakistan would now be looking towards winning their first test match since 1995 against the Australians, as they come out to bat today on day two with a 60 run lead.
It remains fairly important for the men in green that they continue to dominate and look towards batting the day through. Pakistan would feel confident and stand a good chance of winning this test if they can get close to a 300 run lead and with the way the Pakistani’s played on day one, this feat should not be difficult. However, the most important determinant today remains to be the English weather.
The Pakistanis go into day two with a psychological advantage and the key to their success in Leeds remains their batting in the first innings. They cannot expect their bowlers to dismiss the Australians cheaply again, especially considering the Australians are a team that learn and bounce back quickly.
Australia will expect to set the record straight in the 2nd innings when they come out to bat. Pakistan needs a huge first innings lead to ensure the Australians falter once again with their batting.
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