Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI:-Although, Karachi Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a draw, however, the cricket lovers will not forget the historical batting by skipper Babar Azam who stayed on the pitch for 603 minutes and saved the blushes of the country at National Cricket Stadium Karachi.
Babar played an extraordinary 196 in more than 10 hours of batting by Pakistan captain Babar Azam saw another last-day victory push by Australia stalled and enabled the home team to walk away from the second Test at Karachi with a draw that will be celebrated as loudly as any victory.
Facing a deficit of 505 and needing to bat almost two days having been bowled out in barely two sessions earlier in the match, Babar's inspiration coupled with crucial supporting roles from Mohammad Rizwan (104 not out) and Abdullah Shafique (96) saw Pakistan achieve history if not victory.
Scorecard:
Australia Batting (First Innings): 556 for 9 declared after 189 overs
Usman Khawaja 160 (369 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Alex Carey 93 (159 balls, 4X7, 6X2), Steven Smith 72 runs (214 balls, 4X7), Nathan Lyon 38 (62 balls, 4X7), David Warner 36 (48 balls, 4X3, 6X2)
Pakistan Bowling (First Innings):
Faheem Ashraf (2 for 55), Sajid Khan (2 for 167), Babar Azam (1 for 7), Hasan Ali (1 for 71), Numan Ali (1 for 134)
Pakistan Batting (First innings): 148 all out in 53 overs
Babar Azam 35 (64 balls, 4X3), Nauman Ali 20 not out (35 balls, 4X4), Imam-ul-Haq 20 (64 balls, 4X3), Shaheen Shah Afridi 19 (25 balls, 4X3, 6X1)
Australia Bowling (First Innings):
Mitchell Starc (3 for 29), Mitchell Swepson (2 for 32), Nathan Lyon (1 for 13), Cameron Green (1 for 23)
Australia Batting (Second Innings): 97 for 2 declared after 22.3 overs
Marnus Labuschagne 44 (49 balls, 4X5, 6X1), Usman Kawaja 44 (70 balls, 4X4)
Pakistan Bowling (Second Innings):
Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 21), Hasan Ali (1 for 23)
Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): 443 for 7 in 171.4 overs (target 506 runs)
Babar Azam 196 (425 balls, 4X21, 6X1), Mohammad Rizwan 104 not out (177 balls, 4X11, 6x1) Abdullah Shafiq 96 (305 balls, 6X4, 6X1)
Australia Bowling (Second Innings):
Nathan Lyon (4 for 112), Pat Cummins (2 for 75), Cameron Green (1 for 32).
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi
Australia (Playing XIs):
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson
Toss: Australia won the toss and decided to bat
Results: Ended in a draw
Match Officials:
Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar (Field Umpires)
Rashid Riaz (TV Umpire)
Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire)
Ranjan Madugalle (Match Referee)