They've made an effort to try and nullify the pace bowling: Pat Cummins on Rawalpindi pitch

Tags: Australia tour of Pakistan 2022, Pakistan vs Australia, 1st Test at Rawalpindi, Mar 04-08, 2022, Australia, Pakistan

Published on: Mar 09, 2022

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Australian Test captain Pat Cummins felt that Pakistan tried to nullify their pace bowling by preparing a dead pitch for the 1st Test in Rawalpindi. Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 24 years ended in a drab draw after the hosts made 252 for no loss in their second innings in 77 overs. Abdullah Shafique was unbeaten on 136 and Imam-ul-Haq on 111. Earlier, Pakistan declared their first innings on 476 for 4 while Australia replied with 459. 1,187 runs were scored over five days in the Test match with only 14 wickets falling.

Speaking after the Test, Cummins said that a draw was not a bad result for them in the sub-continent. He stated, "Turning up to a pitch that's probably not a traditional pitch you would get here in Rawalpindi, and it's probably clear they've made an effort to try and nullify the pace bowling. I think that's a positive. And, sub-continent conditions, coming away with a draw it's not a bad result.”

Reflecting on the bowling, Cummins said that they tried different things as they spent the best part of three days out in the field. The fast bowler added, “I think we've all bowled around about 25, maximum 30 overs each, which in comparison to a lot of Australian Test matches is actually a pretty light workload. Didn't get a huge look at reverse swing this Test, but that might come into it later on. But I was really happy with how everyone went and everyone's come through unscathed."

Batters from both sides had a fun time out in the middle. Imam scored hundreds in both innings, Shafique registered his first Test ton while Azhar Ali smashed 185 in the first innings. No Australian scored a century but David Warner, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne all hit fifties.

Looking ahead to the second Test in Karachi, Cummins said they will review their performance. He admitted, "I thought the Pakistani batters batted really well the whole game. Got themselves in and then once they got themselves in they were able to just tick over the score. We'll spend the next couple days reviewing it having a look at maybe different plans ahead of Karachi, expecting probably different conditions as well."

The 2nd Test of the Australia-Pakistan series will begin on March 12.

–By A Cricket Correspondent

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