(Info4now, March 20, 2022)- In the second Test, Australia tried their best to take the upper hand and in the first innings they manage to gain a massive lead to let Pakistan face a genuine pressure. As Pakistan started chasing they again stuck to the wicket being completely familiar with the surface. As they are to move for PAK vs AUS 3rd Test at Gaddafi stadium, Lahore, the pitch is again an issue for the result.
WTC points and a calculated game plan
What Pakistan are trying to do is something incomprehensible to the critics. It’s a home series for them and still they are not taking the advantage of spin and pace. It might be a Plan B for them, as they are fully aware of Australia’s strength in those areas. Australia have Nathan Lyon and a good fast bowling combination and therefore, they are trying to shake off any concerned risk.
Australia, on the other hand, must be happy for a consecutive draw in the series considering it an away series. They achieved a healthy advantage in the Ashes 2021-22 and just playing with the condition on Pakistani soil. If the pitch gets lively in the third one, they must be all over the opponent.
Preview: PAK vs AUS 3rd Test, Australia tour of Pakistan 2022
Both the teams found it very hard with the bowling. It’s a horrible wicket for any bowler. In Rawalpindi and in Karachi, the bowlers struggled and many a time, the captains used so many part timers. Still Pat Cummins was excellent with the ball. Nathan Lyon is a champion and even on a dead pitch he enjoyed his bowling. Pakistan’s fast bowlers were not so impressive against Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan.
In batting, Australia were fantastic, I think. Both the openers played extremely well and will probably repeat in PAK vs AUS 3rd Test starting tomorrow. Marnus Labuschagne is still holding the number 1 position in ICC Test Ranking and continue to experiment with comparatively soft wickets of this series. Steve Smith is just at home while partnering either Labuschagne or Travis Head. It’s a deep batting order for Australia as almost everyone can bat down the order.
It’s a home series for Pakistani top order and they are comfortably exploiting the lifeless surface of the pitch. Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq have to stick to wicket if they wish to continue defending the game. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam to follow and they are in rhythm. It’s not a very successful batting line deep down the order for the host except Rizwan at No. 6.
To Conclude
It’s a final contest of the series and we must be hoping to get a better wicket in PAK vs AUS 3rd Test in Lahore. A result oriented wicket might give a fantastic finish to this historic series. Gaddafi has poor record in the final innings of the game. So it’s an easy decision to choose batting first.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Abdullah Safique, Imam ul Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Md Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Haris Rouf and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson, Pat Cummins.