In the sweltering heat of Perth's Optus Stadium, Pakistan face an uphill battle in the first Test against a dominant Australia. After winning the toss, the mighty Australia capitalised on the batting-friendly track, amassing a mammoth 487 runs before they were finally dismissed in their first innings on Day 2. The architect of the colossal total was David Warner, whose masterful centurion knock of 164 proved the cornerstone of the Australian innings.
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Despite Pakistan's valiant efforts, the bowling attack struggled to contain the Aussie onslaught. While Pakistan's premier speedster Shaheen Afridi bowled with heart and fire, but could only manage to pick one wicket, as he didn't get the support from his teammates from the other end. Meanwhile, Indian commentator Ravi Shastri shed light on Afridi's ineffective bowling, highlighting the immense pressure he shoulders as the sole genuine pace bowler in the attack. He further emphasised the stark reality that currently, no other Pakistani bowler in Test cricket consistently touches the 140kph mark, leaving Afridi to carry the burden alone.
“I think the real problem for Shaheen Afridi is the pressure of being the spearhead of this Pakistan attack and without much real support at the other end when it comes to pace, genuine pace. When you talk of Pakistan and when you talk of their fast-bowling attack there is genuine pace all the time and you don’t have one bowler here who is even close to a 140. So that puts immense pressure on someone like Shaheen,” Ravi Shastri said during commentary.
Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position after Australia posted a staggering 487 in the first innings. Aamer Jamal's six-wicket haul was undoubtedly a bright spot, but the day belonged to Warner. The Aussie opener tore into the Pakistani attack, amassing a mammoth 164 runs off just 211 deliveries, peppering his innings with 16 fours and four sixes. Afridi, often Pakistan's bowling spearhead, found himself on the receiving end of Warner's wrath, finishing with disappointing figures of 1-96.
Chasing a big total Pakistan faltered as they lost Abdullah Shafique (42) and captain Shan Masood (30) and were left stranded at 132/2 at the close of Day 2. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc removed the Pakistan's top order to set the ton for Australia.
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