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.

Twitter Reacts As Australia Seal Dramatic Draw Against Pakistan In First Test
Usman Khawaja

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.

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Twitter Reacts As Australia Seal Dramatic Draw Against Pakistan In First Test
Yasir Shah

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:

https://twitter.com/iihtishamm/status/1050379642463498240

 

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