Twitter Reacts As Australia Seal Dramatic Draw Against Pakistan In First Test
Riding on stubborn knocks from opener Usman Khawaja and skipper Tim Paine, Australia earned a hard-fought draw in the first Test against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Australia began their new Test era on a promising note, defying the odds and fighting out of their skin to save a game that looked well lost by the end of day four. 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. But what unfolded on day five would give the Australian supporters, still recovering from the ball-tampering fiasco, a lot of hope.
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.
Pakistan could have had Head leg-before off leg-spinner Yasir Shah on 44. However, the skipper decided against reviewing the decision after English umpire Richard Kettleborough gave his decision in the batsman’s favour. 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 overs 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.
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.
Here are some reactions to the thrilling game:
Leaders need to keep cool under pressure. Not sure Sarfraz Ahmed has been. #PAKvAUS
— Luke D'Anello (@LukeDAnello) October 11, 2018
Sarfraz Ahmed as captain: "Aussies need 110 runs in 4 overs. More than run a ball. Omg let's spread the field." #PAKvAUS
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 11, 2018
There is no excuse. Sarfraz Ahmed's captaincy was extremely poor today.
Still, I feel that Sarfraz should continue as captain till South Africa tour. No need to bring a new captain now & put him under insane pressure of a SA tour.
Give Sarfraz proper time to prove himself.
— Naveed Nadeem (@naveednadeem91) October 11, 2018
Pakistan was way Ahead of Australia in every single way only captaincy guts made the clear difference which Team Pakistan lacks so bad. How would you conclude this match?@aaliaaaliya @waqyounis99 @wasimakramlive @shoaib100mph @ZAbbasOfficial
— Sarfraz Ahmed Rana (@SarfrazRana01) October 11, 2018
.@iramizraja's heart-to-heart conversations with Sarfraz Ahmed continue: "Kitna dil dukha aapka is draw se?" ?#PAKvAUS
— Kislaya Srivastava (@KislayaS) October 11, 2018
Great performance Usman Khawaja! Top effort by Australian team in very tough situation. This was Test cricket at it's best. Pakistan dominated the Test and should continue with same attitude in Abu Dhabi for 2nd Test. All the best boys. #PAKvAUS
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2018
Some Draw by the Aussies …. !! #PakVAus
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 11, 2018
Yes Painey!!!!#PakVAus
— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) October 11, 2018
Australia, that was magnificent. A draw. You wouldn't read about it #PakvAus
— Daniel Brettig ? (@danbrettig) October 11, 2018
If you’re still up and watching the cricket you’re not allowed to move from now until stumps. Ok? #PAKvAUS
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) October 11, 2018
And that's why @tdpaine36 is captain of his country…#PAKvAUS
— Adam White (@White_Adam) October 11, 2018
What a great show of resilience from Australia and in particular @Uz_Khawaja. This new Australian team walk away better off for this experience. #PakvAus
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 11, 2018
Australia survive after batting marathon 139.5 overs, their longest 4th innings in last 47 years! #PakvAus
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 11, 2018
Tremendous match saving innings by Usman Khawaja – Tim Paine with showing a lot of resilience as captain,Pakistan will be looking back at this match as a match of missed opportunities.. #PAKvAUS
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/iihtishamm/status/1050379642463498240
Sometimes you just have to hold up your hands and say that was brilliant from the opponents #PAKvAUS #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 11, 2018
Another example of why test cricket is the best format #PakVAus
— Brad Tilbury (@btilbs) October 11, 2018
What. A. Test. Match! ? That is exactly what that was, a true test. Had me on the edge of my seat. Credit to the @cricketcomau boys ???? what a comeback. Start of an exciting series ? #PAKvAUS #testisbest #nervesofsteel
— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) October 11, 2018
Largest leads earned by Pakistan bowlers that didn't result in a Test win:
476 vs England, Oval, 1987
280 vs Aus, Dubai, TODAY
272 vs Ind, Lahore, 1984#PakvAus— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 11, 2018
A draw in those circumstances – not just this match but this whole wretched year – must feel as good as a win. #PAKvAUS
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 11, 2018
