ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan is very unlikely to survive a follow-in by Australia in first Test at the Brisbane Cricket Ground after losing 8 wickets for just 97 runs in reply to Host’s first innings score of 429.
Poor technique and bad shot-selection by the Pakistani batsmen on bouncy and seamy wicket have once again put the side on the edge of a humiliating defeat against the mighty Australia which, though, also lost 7 wickets on Friday for just 106 runs.
Earlier in the day, Australia resumed its first innings on 288 runs for the loss of 3 wickets but later was all out for 429 runs. Its Captain Steven Smith scored 130 runs while Peter Handscomb made 105.
For Pakistan, Muhammad Amir and Wahab Riaz grabbed 4 wickets each and Yasir Shah also took 2.
As Pakistan went into bat in its first innings, its batting line-up once again collapsed and at stumps on day 2, it was still trail by 332 runs with only 2 wickets remaining.
The experienced Younis Khan’s poor form with the bat continued as he went for 0 today. His batting average in last six innings remained 2.66 as he scored 0, 2, 1, 2, 11 and 0 respectively. Likewise, Asad Shafiq also looked struggling immensely and last seven innings, he scored 0, 0, 16, 17, 23, 0 and 2 with an average of 8.28.
Like the past, the current Test series in Australia won’t be easy at all for Pakistan as the visitors have never won a series in this format in Australia while it has been waiting for a Test victory since 21 years.
Overall, Pakistan met Australia on its soil in 11 series but always faced defeats, and even in last three series, it was whitewashed 3-0. The Even more adverse situation is shown by the fact that since 1999, Pakistan has always been beaten by Australia in nine Tests, the two sides played with each other.
Similarly, Pakistan is yet to register its first Test victory against Australia in Brisbane where the later won three matches so far whereas one ended in a draw.
The second Test between Pakistan and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30 while the third Test match will take place at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 03 to 07, 2017.
