After a dull draw in the first Test match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Australia have put Pakistan under massive pressure in the ongoing second Test match at the National Stadium in Karachi. After winning the toss and batting first, Australia put up a huge score of 556 on the board before declaring their innings.
While many cricket experts predicted another draw on a pitch that did not have much to offer for the bowlers, the Australian bowling attack had different ideas. The Pat Cummins-led attack produced a phenomenal performance in Karachi to leave the hosts in all kinds of trouble.
It was Australia’s star left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc who made the difference on Day 3 with a stunning spell of explosive fast-bowling. He changed the course of the game when he dismissed Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam on back-to-back deliveries. While Azhar lost his wicket after a knock of 15, Alam was dismissed for a golden duck.
In fact, Alam’s wicket was one for the ages as Starc bowled a lethal yorker which left the left-hander stunned and with no response. The delivery which came at a speed of more than 145 Km/hr struck the 36-year-old on his pads and was set to hit the stumps and was given out by the on-field umpire. Alam did review the decision but replays showed the original decision was correct.
Just one ball before that, Ali departed from Starc’s bowling after edging a delivery to Cameron Green on third slip. Starc later also dismissed Sajid Khan while Cummins, Green, Nathan Lyon taking one wicket each. Pakistan captain Babar Azam put up a valiant fight before being dismissed for 36 by debutant Swepson, who took two wickets. The hosts’ number 11 pair of Shaheen Afridi and Naumam Ali put up a solid partnership before they were bowled out for 148 and gave Australia a massive 408 run lead.
