Pakistan hold Australia to respectable draw in second Test

Karachi – Babar Azam performed one of the best and maximum memorable suit-saving innings withinside the records of Test cricket as Pakistan held Australia to an outstanding and first rate draw withinside the 2d Test for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy on the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Babar scored an epic 196 off 425 balls in 10 hours and 7 mins of fascinating batting as Pakistan completed at 443 for seven after resuming at 192 for 2 after being set an not possible 506-run target.

Babar’s career-exceptional innings contained 21 fours and a six and it became the best fourth innings rating through a Test captain, and what a extremely good event and time it became to deliver this up because it will absolutely make stronger his repute as one of the best and maximum technically accurate batters of this generation.

There have been a few hiccups and apprehensive moments after Babar Azam departed as Faheem Ashraf lasted simply one ball and Sajid Khan survived 10 deliveries as Pakistan slipped from 392 for 4 to 414 for seven with forty eight balls withinside the Test remaining.

However, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan confirmed nerves of metallic whilst he took manage and ensured Pakistan stored its possibilities of prevailing the Test collection alive. Both the perimeters will now journey to Lahore for the winner takes all 0.33 Test, in order to begin on March 21.

Rizwan struck eleven fours and a six, batted for 238 mins and confronted 117 deliveries for his 104 now no longer out. This became his 2d century in 21 Tests.

When the suit ended, Nauman Ali became the alternative now no longer out batter who correctly negotiated 18 balls. Rizwan became additionally worried in a 115-run 5th wicket partnership with Babar after Fawad Alam failed for the second one time withinside the suit through coping with best 9 from 27 balls.

While Babar neglected a maiden double-century through 4 runs, opener Abdullah Shafique became unfortunate to attain his 2d century in successive Tests whilst he became stuck through Steve Smith of Pat Cummins.

Abdullah, who resumed this morning at seventy one now no longer out, confirmed quite a few grit and preventing skills in his ninety six that got here off 305 balls after 468 mins of batting throughout which he hit six fours and a six.

Abdullah and Babar had were given collectively throughout 2d session’s play at the fourth day and have been separated simply earlier than lunch at the very last morning whilst Abdullah made an extraordinary mistakess through seeking to using a huge delivery.

Abdullah placed on 228 runs with Babar for the 0.33 wicket that gave Pakistan a sensible danger of escaping with the draw.

Against a world-elegance Australia assault on a 5th day pitch, Pakistan wished to expose quite a few resilience and play with authority, self belief and courage, and that is precisely what they displayed as Babar and Abdullah, and Rizwan later, confirmed textbook temperament and shot-choice to frustrate the visitors.

The 3 batters additionally scored at a first rate tempo and there has been a time whilst it seemed Pakistan can also additionally simply cross for the kill and chase down the 506-run target. However, Babar’s departure that quickly accompanied through the loss of life of Faheem and Sajid intended Pakistan pulled the shutters down and went for a draw.

While Pakistan will now arriving in Lahore oozing with self belief, Australia, regardless of dominate maximum a part of the Test, might be questioning the way to take hold of 20 wickets to win the Test. Apart from their bowling, their fielding remained below-par as they dropped vital catches to permit Pakistan off the hook!