Pakistan Held To 203 By Starc, Cummins

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Post on Nov 04, 2024

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Pakistan Held to 203 by Starc, Cummins: Australia Take Control in First Test

The first Test match between Australia and Pakistan in Rawalpindi saw a thrilling day of cricket, with Australia taking control thanks to stellar bowling performances from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Pakistan, despite a valiant effort from their batsmen, were held to a respectable but ultimately below-par score of 203, leaving Australia with a comfortable lead heading into their innings.

Starc Shines with a Five-For

The day belonged to Mitchell Starc, who was in exceptional form. He ripped through the Pakistani batting order, picking up a sensational five-wicket haul and ensuring that the home team struggled to gain momentum. His figures of 5-53 were a testament to his accuracy and movement, leaving the Pakistan batsmen bewildered and frustrated.

Starc's key contributions:

• Early blow: He struck early, dismissing Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the very first over, setting the tone for the day.
• Middle-order havoc: Starc then went on to remove the dangerous Imam-ul-Haq and the experienced Babar Azam, putting Pakistan on the backfoot.
• Final flourish: He wrapped up his five-wicket haul by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan, further dismantling the Pakistan batting lineup.

Cummins Continues His Form

Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, continued his excellent form, adding another three wickets to his tally. He bowled with relentless pace and accuracy, keeping the Pakistani batsmen under constant pressure. His 3-50 ensured that Pakistan never truly recovered from the early setbacks.

Cummins' impact:

• Tight lines: He bowled with remarkable accuracy, making life difficult for the Pakistan batsmen.
• Threatening pace: Cummins' relentless pace kept the Pakistani batsmen on their toes, making it difficult for them to score freely.
• Key dismissals: He removed the crucial wickets of Azhar Ali and Saud Shakeel, further weakening the Pakistan batting.

Pakistan Batting Struggles

While the Australian bowlers were undoubtedly exceptional, the Pakistani batsmen also failed to capitalize on opportunities. They showed glimpses of fight, but ultimately struggled to build significant partnerships and build a substantial score.

Key challenges faced by Pakistan:

• Lack of big scores: The Pakistani batsmen failed to score a century, with only Babar Azam (79) and Azhar Ali (46) reaching significant scores.
• Loss of wickets at regular intervals: Pakistan lost wickets at crucial junctures, hindering their ability to build momentum.
• Struggle against pace: The Pakistani batsmen seemed to find it difficult to cope with the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers.

Australia on Top

With Pakistan bowled out for 203, Australia now have a significant lead heading into their innings. The Australian bowlers, led by Starc and Cummins, were instrumental in keeping Pakistan's score under control, creating a platform for their team to build upon. The first Test match is shaping up to be an exciting contest, with Australia currently holding the advantage.

Looking ahead:

• Australia's batting test: The next crucial phase will be Australia's batting performance, with the opportunity to score a big total and further extend their lead.
• Pakistan's fightback: Pakistan will need to show resilience and determination in their second innings to claw their way back into the match.
• A fascinating battle: The first Test match is set to be a thrilling battle, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage in the series.

This first Test match between Australia and Pakistan promises to be a closely fought contest, with both teams possessing the talent and determination to emerge victorious. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting and unpredictable series.