Once again rain forced the Umpires to call off second day’s play of second Test match between Pakistan and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Tuesday, bringing the possibly of Boxing Day Test ending in a draw.
Only 50.5 overs were bowled during the first day’s play at the MCG yesterday and almost as many overs, the Aussie bowlers managed to bowl today before rain once again interrupted the game.
Pakistan resumed its first innings today’s morning at 142 for 4 with Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq at the Crease. Both the batsmen built up a 115 runs partnership before Asad Shafiq was dismissed by Jackson Bird on 50. Later Wicket Keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed became victim of Josh Hazlewood after scoring 10 runs.
The opener Azhar Ali completed his 12th Test Century and 3rd against Australia in his 56th Test match. When the Umpires ended the play early due to rain, Azhar Ali was batting on 139 runs off 287 balls along with Muhammad Amir who had scored 28 with 6 fours.
The Australian Jackson Bird was the leading wicket taker so far with 3 wickets followed by Josh Hazlewood with 2. Nathan Lyon also took 1 wicket.
On the first day of second Test match, Pakistan had scored 142 runs for the loss of 4 wickets including Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. Except Sami and Misbah who got out for just 9 and 11 runs respectively, Babar and Younis had become somewhat settled at the Crease but could not carry on. They scored 23 and 21 respectively.
Happy Boxing Day! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/cVV7Xnk2GD
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2016
Since 1981, Pakistan played four Test matches against Australia at the MCG but failed to clinch a single victory during this period. Pakistan lost to Australia in three Tests while one ended in draw. However, Pakistan beat the Host twice at the same venue in 1979 and 1981.
Though Australia won the first day-night Test at the Brisbane Cricket Ground by 39 runs but yet Pakistan conquered the hearts of Cricket World by virtue of a brilliant fight back in second innings especially after being bowled out for just 142 runs in first innings.
Particularly it was Asad Shafiq’s fantastic 137 runs innings supported by tail-enders which led Pakistan reach close to 490 runs target but unfortunately fell short of 39 runs. Asad Shafiq’s innings also earned him the man of the match award despite Pakistan’s defeat.
Pakistan 2nd Test Squad
Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicker Keeper), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Muhammad Amir, Sohail Khan
Australia 2nd Test Squad
Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (Captain), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (Wicket Keeper), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird
The Boxing Day Test would be followed by third and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 03 to 07, 2017 between Pakistan and Australia.
