The first Test match between Australia and Pakistan ended in a draw in Rawalpindi. Since then many former cricketers and experts have spoken on the conditions of the Rawalpindi pitch as just 14 wickets were picked up the bowlers throughout the Test match. It is important to mention that, 10 wickets out of those 14 were picked up the Pakistan bowlers.
Cummins speaks
In a situation like this Australia skipper Pat Cummins has also commented on the matter. According to him, it was an “an effort to try and nullify the pace bowling.”
"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 was quoted while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
"I think that's a positive. And, sub-continent conditions, coming away with a draw it's not a bad result. I think we all tried different things. I think all the quick bowlers, although we've spent the best part of three days out in the field, I think we've all bowled around about 25, maximum 30 overs each, which in comparison to a lot of Australian Test matches is actually a pretty light workload,” the Australia Test team skipper further added.
Praise for Pakistan batsmen
Cummins on the other hand, talked about the opponent’s batting and praised the Pakistan batting lineup for their tremendous batting display.
"(We) didn't get a huge look at reverse swing this Test, but that might come into it later on. But I was really happy with how everyone went and everyone's come through unscathed.
“I thought the Pakistani batters batted really well the whole game. Got themselves in and then once they got themselves in they were able to just tick over the score," said Cummins.
Batting first, the hosts had declared their innings on 476/4. In reply, Australia scored 459. In second innings, Pakistan opening batters- Abdullah Shafique (136 runs not out off 242 balls) and Imam-ul-Haq (111 runs not out off 223 balls), exhibited a terrific batting display as Aussie bowlers could not even manage to pick up a single wicket in the second innings.
