ISLAMABAD, (Reuters) – Imam-ul-Haq smashed his second hundred in the run-feast in Rawalpindi but Australia’s first test in Pakistan in 24 years ended in a dull draw yesterday.
Opting to bat on a run-filled surface, Pakistan made 476-4 before declaring their first innings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
By the time they bowled out Australia for 459 on the final day, the chances of any team winning the contest had evaporated.
Pakistan decided to bat on allowing Imam, who went into the match without a century in his previous 11 tests, to score his second hundred of the contest.
The bespectacled left-hander’s unbeaten 111 included seven boundaries and two sixes. Imam went on to win the Man-of-the-Match award.
His opening partner Abdullah Shafique, who made 136 not out, also brought up his maiden test century as Pakistan posted 252 for no loss in their second innings before the teams shook hands and left.
A total of 1,187 runs were scored over five days and only 14 wickets fell in what Australia’s Steve Smith called a “pretty benign, dead wicket” which risks censure from the game’s governing body.
With draw looming as the only possible result, Australia captain Pat Cummins shielded his frontline quicks and used as many as nine bowlers in Pakistan’s second innings.
“Just about everyone got into the series, especially the batters,” Cummins said after beginning the tour with a draw.
“All got some runs and we had a really good look at their line-up… It’s been a really great experience to be back here after 24 years.”
Earlier, after the tourists began the final day on 449-7, Pakistan took 11 deliveries to claim the last three Australian wickets.
Nauman Ali dismissed Cummins for eight, and both Mitchell Starc and Lyon fell lbw as Australia finished 17 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings total.
Each of Australia’s top four batsmen crossed the 50-mark but could not convert them into hundreds and the tourists lost their last six wickets for 52 runs.
Left-arm spinner Nauman claimed a career-best 6-107 on a flat track where bowlers struggled for success.
When Pakistan came out to bat for a second time in the match, Cummins saw no point in straining his pace attack on the unresponsive track.
Yesterday the pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Josh Hazlewood bowled a combined 16 out of their 77 overs.
Off-spinner Lyon alone sent down 26 overs, while part-timers Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja were also utilised.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam was pleased with his batsmen and said the team would be further strengthened with pacemen Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali along with all-rounder Faheem Ashraf returning for the second test in Karachi from Saturday.
“Imam grabbed the opportunity with both hands and batted well in both the innings,” Babar said.
“We missed a couple of our frontline bowlers who have since joined the squad which is a great news for us.”
