Pakistan Will Be Under Pressure To Deliver As Home Side, Says Azhar Ali Ahead Of Second Test Against Australia

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has admitted Pakistan will be under pressure of expectations in the second Test against Australia starting in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday.

Pakistan dominated much of the first Test in Dubai but failed to get the last two wickets as Australia escaped with a hard earned draw. The way Australia had collapsed in the first innings and were reduced to 87 for 3 in the second innings, a loss was looking like the most likely result for them after being given a daunting 462-run target. However, the visitors came up with a gritty effort to salvage a draw.

Pakistan Will Be Under Pressure To Deliver As Home Side, Says Azhar Ali Ahead Of Second Test Against Australia
We have to give credit to the Australians: Azhar Ali ahead of the second Pakistan-Australia Test (Credits: Getty)

Usman Khawaja led the fight with a gritty knock. The southpaw had added an invaluable 132 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head (72) to give his team a solid start. Pakistan failed to get a single wicket in the first session after Australia resumed at 136 for 3.

The hosts got their first-breakthrough only after the first session when Mohammad Hafeez trapped Head leg-before with the first ball.

Yasir Shah took his first in the match when he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 13 to reduce Australia to 252 for 5. Khawaja and Pain then took the team to 289 for 5 at tea.

With just 15 wickets remaining and five wickets in hand, Australia seemed to have saved the game. However, there was still a big twist in the game. Shah took three wickets in quick succession to revive Pakistan’s hopes. He first accounted for Khawaja before dismissing Mitchell Starc (1) and Peter Siddle (0) to reduce the visitors to 333 for 8 from 331 for 5.

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But in Nathan Lyon, Paine found an able partner as the duo fought out of their skins to save the game and earn a memorable draw for their side.

And ahead of the second Test, Azhar Ali has admitted, Pakistan will be under pressure to deliver as the hosts.

“I can’t say if the pressure will be more on Pakistan or Australia but we are the home side and obviously people expect us to win and so there is pressure,” said Azhar.

“However, having said that these are favourable conditions for us and we have to make the most of it.

“Pressure is always different in every match and obviously this is a decider. Being the home team we have to win it and we will enter the field thinking that. We will look to play positive cricket and hopefully the result will go our way,” he added.

Pakistan Will Be Under Pressure To Deliver As Home Side, Says Azhar Ali Ahead Of Second Test Against Australia
The first Pakistan-Australia Test ended in a thrilling draw (Credits: Getty)

Pakistan will have to make a forced change in the second Test. They will have to replace their in-form opener Imam-ul-Haq who fractured his finger in the first Test. This could prompt the team-management to promote Ali from number three to open the innings.

Ali, who has batted as opener in the past, said that he is ready to bat at any position for his side.

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“When playing for Pakistan one has to be ready for everything,” said Azhar. “I have always believed in that and whatever the team management decides or the captain decides, I will be ready to do that.”

The former Pakistan skipper also admitted that his teammates were disappointed at not winning the first Test.

“We are not disheartened but, yes, disappointed, obviously after dominating the Test match throughout and then not winning it,” said Azhar, a veteran of 66 Tests.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t win but I think we also have to give credit to the Australians as well as they showed resilience and kept fighting till the end.”

Pakistan Will Be Under Pressure To Deliver As Home Side, Says Azhar Ali Ahead Of Second Test Against Australia
I will be ready to do whatever the team decides: Azhar Ali (Credits: AFP)

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