Australian Test cricket team captain Pat Cummins gave his views on the pitch on offer for the recently-concluded ICC World Test Championship match against the Pakistan cricket team at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. The Australia vs. Pakistan Test series started on March 4. Fans expected a cracker of a contest between the two nations, but the lifeless wicket spoilt the excitement.
The pitch had nothing for the bowlers. Both pacers and spinners toiled for five days as the match ended in a draw. The Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam called the coin toss right and decided to bat first. Centuries from Imam ul Haq and Azhar Ali guided the home team to 476/4 before Babar declared the innings.
None of the Australian batters could score a century, but contributions from Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith ensured the Aussies scored 459 runs in their first innings. The Pakistan cricket team were 252/0, with Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq scoring a hundred each in the second innings. Both captains then shook hands as the match ended in a draw.
Commenting on the pitch on offer for the Rawalpindi Test match, Pat Cummins said after the game:
“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.”
Pat Cummins happy with the end result of the 1st Test against Pakistan team
Although Pakistan dominated Australia in both innings of their batting, skipper Cummins was happy with the eventual result. He felt a draw in the subcontinental conditions was a good result for the team.
“I think that’s a positive. And, sub-continent conditions, coming away with a draw it’s not a bad result,” the Aussie skipper concluded.
