USMAN KHAWAJA RESCUES AUSTRALIA IN FIRST TEST

October 12, 2018

Australia’s new look test cricket team was heading for disaster in the first test against Pakistan, before Usman Khawaja rescued the side with a stoic 141 in the second innings.  Khawaja’s efforts secured a draw for an Australian team that looked certain to be defeated.

The match, played in Dubai, began when Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.  Imam ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez made an opening stand of 205, before ul-Haq was dismissed for 76.  Hafeez went on to make 126, and Haris Sohail scored 110, as Pakistan compiled an impressive 482.  Asad Shafiq chimed in with 80.  Peter Siddle took 3/58 for Australia.

Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch set up Australia with an opening wicket stand of 142.  Finch, making his test debut, scored a patient 62, and Khawaja finished on 85.  However, the rest of the batting line up failed to fire, and Australia was all out for just 202.  Bilal Asif took 6/36 for Pakistan, and Mohammad Abbas finished with 4/29.

Pakistan declared at 6/181 in their second innings, leaving Australia with 462 runs for victory.  Imam ul-Haq top scored with 48, and Asad Shafiq finished on 41.  Jon Holland took three wickets for Australia.

Aaron Finch completed an impressive debut with 49 in his second innings.  Usman Khawaja lost partners in quick succession, but Travis Head, also on debut, played a steady 72, as Khawaja made his seventh test century.  New captain, Tim Paine made an unbeaten 61, and Australia finished 100 runs short of the total, but with two wickets in hand to secure an unlikely draw.

You can read more about Australia’s test cricketers here